I 



1 




riS-HER, SOS, & C? LOMDOTT. 183S 



MEMOIRS 

» 

OF THE 

LIFE, MINISTRY AND WRITINGS 

OP 

THE REV= ROWLAND HILL, M, A. 

LATE MINISTER OF yUii KEY CHAPEL, 



BY WILLIAM JONES, M,A. 

AUTHOR OF THE HISTORV OP THE WALDENsVs, BIBWOAI, CYOtOP^DIA. C8RIITUN 
BCCj:,pSIASTJCAI. HISTQKY, STC! 



PRINTED FOR JOHN BENNETT, 
4, THREE TUN PASSAGE, IVY LANE, PATEIINOSTEJI ROW, 



1834. 
I 



yr. M. KKMHT, PBINTSR, ANSEl COURT, 
SKINNER STRBBT. 



Fac Siniile of Hm R&v. RowlaiuL Sills, Sand nnitiiuj m tivti. of Iris age 






Londoix.TublisheA by John Senmtt, 4,I7iree Tioi Fossa p e ,Taterrioster Row . 



AUTHOR'S PREFACE 

TO THfi 

LIFE OF MR. HILL. 



The following sheets havinff been issued to the public 
periodically, and their publication having extended through 
a space of six or eight months, an opportunity has thereby 
been afforded of ascertaining a fact on which the compiler of 
the " Memoirs" felt not a little anxious at the outset, and on 
which he now uses the freedom of tendering a few prefatory 
observations. 

When the application was first made to him to prepare the 
biographical part of the volume, he confesses that he was not 
a little staggered at the proposal. The dissimilarity of his 
owr views and opinions to those which were entertained by 
Mr. Hill, particularly on the subject of civil establishments of 
the Christian Religion, or the right of the civil magistrate to 
interfere with the claims of the King of Zion, together with a 
variety of collateral topics, is so generally known that he not 
only hesitated for a moment, but thought it necessary to 
question the publisher, 'what kind of a life he expected?' 
whether it was to be a faithful portrait of the Original, accord- 
ing to the best judgment the present writer could form of him, 
or a slap-dash panegyric which should, in flaming colours, 
blazon his virtues and conceal his defects, or hide from the 
public view his numerous foibles: and that, if the latter was 
What he expected, he had applied to the wrong quarter. The 
reply was, I shall impose no restraint upon you — ^but leave 



vi 



PREFACE. 



you at liberty to say what you please of the subject of the 
Memoir; with this proviso, that you say nothing but what 
you believe to be true, and what you are prepared to defend, 
if called upon so to do," 

With this mutual understanding he entered upon the task; 
*nd now his only remaining anxiety arose from a fear, lest a 
faithful exhibition of naked facts, should provoke the syco- 
Dbancy of some and the bigotry of others, whose minds were 
so blinded by prejudice as to be incapable of listening to the 
voice of reason, and the more imperious demands of Revela- 
tion. The experiment, however, has been made, and the 
result has been most cheering. In a few instances, it cannot 
oe denied, that the protest which has been entered against 
Mr. Hill's laMtudinarianism has called forth an effusion of 
spleen and invective from persons who were incapable of 
'^'ittiiig- two ideas together, and consequently whose praise or 
blame a-3 of equal value, in the estimation of Mr. Hill's 
biographer * Their impotent hostility to the publication has 
.^esn more than countervailed by the patronage it has received 

* Should the reader wish for a specimen of the delectable things 
referred to, he may obtain it by perusing a few pages in the " Evan- 
g'ilisal Register" for last October. The reviewer evidently pens his 
remarks feelingly on the subject. In going over the pages of the 
Memoirs of Mr. Hill, he has not been able to divest his mind of a 
troublesome text of scripture, to wit, " Thus saying, thou reproachest us 
also But he is entitled to our sympathy : the poor man is so encum- 
bered with his black gotvns and reverend companions, to all of whom 
it is incumbent upon him to testify his obsequiousness, that he has no room 
in his conscience for a particle of reverence to the King of Zion. It 
seems never yet to have entered his imagination that the New Testa- 
ment was intended by the God of Heaven to regulate the worship and 
obedience of Christ's disciples ! Like Mr. Hill, he chooses to legislate 
for himself, for " Who is the Lord, that he should obey Him ?" The 
object of his idolatiy is « Calvinistic Methodism," which we all know 
to be a very different thing from the Christianity of the New Testament. 
It were, perhaps, too much to expect from a writer of his stamp, that he 
should wholly abstain from calling nicknames, and throwing out false 
and calumnious insinuations, as in the application of the epithet " San- 
deman," to the writer of the Life of Mr. Hill. If it proceed from sheer 
Ignorance, he is to be pitied ; if from malevolence, a different term 
would be required to characterise his conduct. 



PREFACE. 



vil 



from the impartial and thinking portion of the religious 
public, among whom it has met with a most favourable 
reception. This is truly a matter of the purest satisfaction to 
the author of the Memoir, who, had the case been otherwise ; — 
had he, by a fearless declaration of what he believes to be the 
truth, been accessary to the loss and injury of the Proprietor, 
he must have deeply deplored his temerity. Such an issue of 
the undertaking would have entailed upon him sensations and 
feelings, which the consciousness of its having resulted from a 
discharge of duty would have been insufficient to compensate. 
But, happily, for both the author and the publisher, meir 
united efforts have been crowned with success ; for wnrie tne 
former has been allowed to discharge the dictates of conscience 
in what he has written, it has been without detriment to nis 
employer. 

And now that I have thus far intruded myself apon tna 
notice of the reader, I intreat his patience while 1 suojom a 
few additional remarks on another topic. 

Although upon a careful review of the biography of Mr. 
Hill, I find nothing in the way of comment, animadversion, or 
even censure on certain parts of his history, which 1 am dis- 
posed to retract, particularly his marked inconsiste^icy in 
defending an establishment, whose multifarious corruptions 
and Antichristian abominations his own pen had so glaringly 
exposed on a variety of occasions ; and his incessant endea- 
vours to undermine the principles of Protestant Dissenters, 
and thus throw every thing relating to the worship and order 
of the Churches of Christ into confusion and anarchy : yet, I 
doubt whether I have made sufficient allowance for him, on 
the ground of the disadvantages attendant on his education^ 
and the injury which he sustained in early life by the perver- 
sion of his principles, in consequence of his connection with 
Eton and Cambridge, He has not, it is true, left us with- 
out evidence, that he was aware of the prevalence of irreligion 
and immorality in these seminaries of learning ; yet, it may be 
fairly questioned whether he himself was ever duly impressed 



VI 11 



PREFACE. 



with a conviction of the demoralizing tendency of those sinks 
of iniquity. Within the last few weeks, a pamphlet has issued 
from the press, under the title of " ^ Letter to His Royal 
Highness the Duke of Gloucester^ Chancellor^ on the present 
corrupt stale of the Cmoersity of Cambridge^ by R. M. 
Beverley, Esq., which has disclosed scenes of profligacy, 
irreligion, and vice, most appalling to every virtuous mind. 
Having,- like Rowland Hill, passed through those renowned 
seats of learnirg, \Mi spent several years in prosecuting his 
studies there, Mr. Beverley tells his Royal Highness what he 
has seen and knows to be true of them. As a fair sample of 
th3 whole, the reader may take the following extracts: and 
first as respects the College of Eton. 

" li is lamentable to reflect," says Mr. Beverley, " on the 
education of the young gentlemen of England. They are 
generally sent to a public school, say Eton, which is unques- 
tionahly the worst school in England. There, for five years they 
learn a few fragments of the Greek and Latin authors, done 
lip in selections, and which might by a scholar be easily read 
in a fortnight. They make a great many Latin verses, which 
an Eton boy soon acquires a habit of constructing with slovenly 
rapidity ; and they learn by heart much Greek and Latin 
verse. Nothing useful in any way is taught them; they know 
nothing of history, nothing of any science, nothing of the great 
questions which are agitated in this age. A more ignorant 
creature could hardly be found, than a first-rate Eton boy. 
From this bad and immoral school they go to Cambridge, 
still worse and tenfold more immoral: and there thev bring: 
into play, the smatterings of the Greek and Latin which they 
had acquired at Eton, read a few more Greek tragedies or 
comedies, and being fully initiated into the fashionable " cram" 
of the L^niversity, obtain the prizes, and finally, perhaps, if 
the church be their destiny, the fellowships, and livings of the 
colleges. After which they grow large, read the Quarterly 
Review, and the Standard Newspaper, and die at last of tlie 
fat rot. These are the clerical gentlemen. 



PREFACE. 



''As there is no attention paid at Cambridge to any in- 
struction in the doctrines of Christianity, the effect of this 
scandalous omission is visible even among the evangelical 
clergy. Some of the serious clergy have in full manhood 
been converted from a life of previous debauchery, to a sense 
of their sinful lives, and so brought to deep repentance. They 
then for the first time begin to read the Scriptures, ana are 
thus launched into the mighty ocean of Revelation, without 
any knowledge of the sea-marks, or any acquaintance with 
the constellations, to direct them in difficulties. The study of 
the Gospel, and an insight into [the nature of Christ s King- 
dom, its laws, institutions, immunities, privileges, and bless- 
.ings] is all a novelty to them. Every word o: ::i'e rny-oiies 
of faith is as strange to their minds as if they had been Maho- 
metans or Chineze Bonzes ; for amongst the ordinary members 
of the Church of England what is known of the Gosjiel ( As 
therefore they have never been instructed in any part of 
doctrinal theology, it is no wonder that they should, in many 
cases, run into dogmatical extravagances. We often hear 
such converts in the heat of their zeal declare, that thev reject 
all books but the Bible, and that they will read it pure and 
sincere, without note or comment: they say they have no 
need of the old divines and expositors — their knowledj^e is 
spiritual ; and no books can tell them that which they have 
received, not by the wisdom of man, but by express Revek- 
tion. They take a [distorted] view of every Evangelical 
[doctrinal] sentiment, and push every thing into, extremes. 
We may remark this process amongst some of them ; it is too 
often before our eyes ; and the usual result is, that after a 
short time preaching the doctrines of the Gospel with fervent 
vivacity, they push on into the modern heresies, and are ulti- 
mately caught in the wild fanaticisms of the Irving School, or 
the thorny wilderness of Hyper-Calvinisni. How many a 
promising clergyman has thus been lost to all that is useful ! 
and how entirely this tendency to heresy is confined to the 



X 



PREFACE. 



members of either the Episcopal or Presbyterian establish- 
ments. Heresies thrive in establishments ! 

" The University of Cambridge produces half the religion 
of the kingdom, according to the notions of the Church of 
England, which acknowledges and knows no religion but her 
own. Cambridge is the ever- teeming fountain of Bishops 
Priests, and Deacons. The Masters of Colleges are frequently 
dignitaries of the Church; and two -thirds of all the Fellows 
of the Colleges are priests. Every College has its chapel and 
cbapel-laws; the Undergraduates are compelled, generally 
speaking, to attend chapel eight times every week. Chapel- 
prayers are read every morning and evening. The services 
of Sundays, Saint-days, and Vigils, are celebrated in Cathedral 
liturgy, with chaunters, surplices, and all the paraphernalia of 
tlie British mass. On those occasions, all the Graduates and 
Undergraduates are dressed in surplices. The official cha- 
racters of the University go in state every Sunday, Saint-day, 
and high festival, to St. Mary's Church, and there is no lack 
of Sermons and Lectures. There are Professors of Divinity, 
Doctors of Divinity, Scribes and Pharisees, chief-priests and 
rulers of the synagogues in abundance; neither is there any 
want of Sadducees. Religion at Cambridge is entirely 
theatrical: every thing is done for show: all is pomp and 
ceremonies: white linen and scarlet robes, wax-candles, 
beadles, silver pokers, organs, anthems, and processions. If 
we inquire into the sects at Cambridge, we shall find, first, 
the Unbelievers (Infidels) no small body, but preserving all 
the exterior of State-religionists ; the Sadducees, or Socinians 
who also strictly conform and despise the Thirty-nine Articles , 
t\ie High-Church party, the most numerous of all: the 
Evangehcals, or serious Christians, commonly called the 
Simeonites ; and tne German School, minute in number, but 
resT?9ctade m talents, who have considerable reverence for the 
PoDish superstitions, a smattering of Plato's devotional 
Daganism. a large infusion of Kant's metaphysics, a attlo 



PREFACE. 



xi 



mysticism, a little of the Persian adoration of the sun, and a 
good deal of Coleridge's depths of nonsense, transcendental 
and unintelligible. 

The general style of preaching, excepting always the 
sermons of the Evangelical party, is dry, profitless, dull, and 
Anti christian. The Gospel is quite unknown, and indeed is 
scarcely ever alluded to. They preach about virtue, and 
justification by good works, a little against enthusiasm, a 
good deal about subordination and the duty of being a Tory. 
They warn the hearers against ' the spirit of the age,' blow 
up the coals of Tophet for the Reform Bill and all its 
adherents; and exalt kings and governors, noblemen, bisnops, 
and magistrates. There is, however, nothing like eloquence 
to recommend their bad doctrine ; their Heathenism is too 
insipid to be palateable. 

" Religion, however, at Cambridge, is not merely a crazy 
state-machine; it is a positive evil full of deadly poison. 
Nothing can be conceived worse than the system of forcing 
the Undergraduates to attend chapel and take the Sacrament. 
The evil effects of this forced and unnatural religion may 
easily be supposed. The mind is, in too many instances, set 
against attending any place of worship, and seeds of disgust 
to things which deserve the deepest reverence, are sown too 
deep, and take root too soon, to be easily eradicated. The 
Church of England is so accustomed to violence, she has so 
long dragooned men into her creed, and is so fond of soldiers 
and constables to support her power, that we cannot expect 
her to do otherwise when she is left to her own counsels. If 
she has played such pranks in greater matters, of course it 
will be but a mere trifle to drag the youth of England to her 
hated altars ; but it is a matter of deep concern to S6(? so 
detestable a system upheld as the excellency of wisdom ; it is 
something which more than raises one's contempt, to behold 
troops of young profligates, compelled to join in the lord's 
Supper, and ' eat and drink their own damnation.* 1 itnow 
that this has caused, and is causing, the deepest concern n 



xii 



PREFACE. 



the minds of some Undergraduates, whose consciences are 
not yet seared with a hot iron ; and I also know that things 
are said and done at these forced celebrations of the Eucharist, 
which in reverence to the spiritual head of the church of true 
Christians, shall be buried in deep silence." 

From these extracts the reader may form his estimate of 
the Stygian Pool^ the turbid waters of which it was Mr. Hill's 
lot to sip in the days of his noviciate, and while qualifying for 
" Holy Orders Let him keep the fact in view, while 
he peruses the following pages, and make the necessary 
allowance. 

W.J. 

London, Dec. 10, 1833 



CONTENTS. 



Memoirs of the Life, Ministry, and Writings? op 
THE Rev. Rowland Hill, M.A. * - - 1 

I. Mr. Hill's Family Connexions ----- 3 

II. His Birthj Education, and Entrance on the Ministry 9 

III. History from the building of Surrey Chapel, a. d. 1783, 

to Mr. Hiirs first Northern Tour, 1798 - - 32 

IV. Mr. Hill's Tours to Scotland, and the publications to 

which they gave rise, a. d. 1798 — 1800 - - 46 

V. Mr. Hiirs Apology for Sunday Schools^ and Sale of 

Curates, a. d. 1801, &a - - - » - 97 

VI. Mr. Hill's Exertions to promote Vaccination «• - 144 

VII. Mr. Hill publishes his Village Dialogues - - - 159 

VIII. His Opposition to Parochial Assessments, and Wntings 

in defence of Religious Liberty, a. d. 1811 — 1816 200 

IX. His Sermon to the Volunteers — and before the Mis- 
sionary Society — Minor Tracts, &c. - ' - 215 



Xiy CONTENTS. 

MOTION 

X. Narrative of Mr. Hill's declining days, death, interment^ 

&c. &c. - - - - . . 245 

XI. Review of Mr. Hill's character and labours, as a Chris- 

tian and Minister - 277 

Xn. Miscellaneous Observations, Anecdotes, and Posthumous 

Sermons . - _ 330 

Appendix - - . - - . - . . 347 



I 




I 




( 



MEMOIRS 

OF THB 

LIFE, MINISTRY, AND WRITINGS 

OF THE 

REV. ROWLAND HILL, M.A. 



Rowland Hill, the late highly respected minister of Surrey 
Chapel, was, on various accounts, so deservedly popular, that 
the remembrance of him cannot hastily sink into oblivion. 
Posterity has an interest m the character of such a man ; and 
the present generation owe it to them, to record with fidelitv, 
such parts of his history as may minister to their instruction ; 
the lessons " that may give ardour to virtue, and confidence to 
truth." When we take into account the stock from which he 
sprang — the talents with which he was gifted — the noble pur- 
poses to which he devoted them — the zeal, the ardour, the 
indefatigable labours m the ministry of the Gospel, which 
marked his career; and when to these we add the expansive 
benevolence of his heart, and the protracted date of his exist- 
ence, we cannot but admit that Rowland Hill was an extraor- 
dinary individual. Of such a man the public will, doubtless, 
furnished with a profusion of lives ; some dictated by the 

B 



2 



MEMOIR, KTC. 



partiality of friendship, and others originating in less worthy 
motives. Relinquishing, however, to Mr. Jay the honour of 
exhibiting his venerable brother on the public stage, in the 
attitude of "the Cedar" of Lebanon, and calling on all the 
fir trees of the forest to pour out their lamentations over its 
fall*, it will be the humble object of the present Essay to 
sketch something like a faithful portrait of the man, such as 
we have seen and known him to be for more than half a cen- 
tury — unembellished with the fictions of poetry, and attired in 
the sober guise of truth. In doing which we shall — 

*' nothing extenuate, 
Nor set down aught in malice." 

Biography, in order to be useful, should not only be written 
with impartiality, it ought to be discriminating. Fallible 
mortals should not be exhibited in the attire of angels. 
There are spots in the sun ; and some one has remarked that 
" none are perfect but the Arminians," to which class Mr. 
Hill never professed to belong. His eccentricities were 
numerous, and lamented even by himself But, after all, v/e 
may say of him, as was said of another individual — " He was 
a man whose failings may be justly pardoned for his virtues." 

* The text of Mr. Jay's funera; sermon was, Zech. xi. 2, " Howl, fir 
tree, for the cedar is fallen." 



SECl'lON 1 



MR. hill's family CONNECTIONS. 

The family from which the subject of this Memoir descenderl 
IS of considerable antiquity, and has long been held in high 
estimation, both in public and private life. The first member 
of it who received the name of Hill, was Humphrey, son 
and heir of Geoffrey de Hulle, the name by which his ances- 
tors were designated, and whose residence in the counties of 
Salop and York can be traced back to some time before the 
reign of Edward the First, a. d. 1272, at which period they 
became distinguished among the gentlemen of the north. 
From the marriage of Humphrey Hill with a daughter of John 
Bridde, Esq., maternally descended from the ancient earls of 
Chester, sprang several branches, which were dispersed into 
different parts of the kingdom. One of the younger sons of 
this prolific marriage was father to Sir Rowland Hill, the first 
who bore the Christian name of the subject of this Memoir. 
He is still more remarkable as having been the first Protestant 
Lord Mayor of London, an office which he filled twice ; first 
in the reign of Henry VHL, by whom he was knighted; and 
afterwards during the short reign of his son, Edward VL 

Of this venerable progenitor of the Hill family, it is grati- 
fying to be enabled to record, that he was a man eminently 
distinguished for the exercise of benevolence, nor less so for 
public spirit and philanthropy. Possessed of immense wealth, 
he devoted a large portion of it to the founding of several 
public charities, particularly the churches of Stoke and 
Hodnet, and the schools of Drayton, in Shropshire. To his 
munificence, also, the public are indebted for the large stone 

B 2 



4 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



bridges over the Severn and Tern, near Atcbam; and for 
several public roads, and works of considerable benefit and 
utility, in different parts of that populous neighbourhood. 
His descendants had no reason to complain of their allotments 
in his will, notwithstanding a large portion of his property was 
bequeathed to public institutions, among which Christ's Hos- 
pital was manificently remembered. 

During the civil wars, the loyalty of this family and its ad- 
herence to the cause of Charles I. exposed it to much suffer- 
ing ; but no member of it, after Sir Rowland, became 
remarkably prominent in public life, till the Right Hon. 
Richard Hill, second son of Rowland Hill, who then resided 
at the mansion at Hawkstone, was deputed by William HI. 
to the embassy at Brussels, and appointed paymaster to the 
British army in Flanders. At the close of his diplomatic 
life, having been sent on several embassies by Queen Anne, 
this able and upright statesman became a Lord of the Trea- 
sury, one of the council of his Royal Highness Prince George 
of Denmark, in his office as Lord High Admiral, and a mem- 
ber of her Majesty's Privy Council. He survived his royal 
mistress several years, was personally known to George L, who 
highly esteemed him, and in token of that esteem, conferred 
the dignity of baronet upon his nephew and heir at law, 
Rowland Hill, an honour which he begged to decline for 
himself The nephew now mentioned became member of 
parliament for Lichfield, which city he represented in several 
sessions; and was the father of five sons, namely, the late 
Sir Richard Hill, M.P., the late Sir John Hill, father of the 
present Lord Hill, commander of his Majesty's forces, a<nd of 
the Reverend Rowland Hill, M.A. the late minister of Surrey 
Chapel, with two other brothers, viz. Brian and Robert, both 
clergymen of the church of England 



* The compiler of the Georgian Era, Vol. L, article " Rowland Hill," 
has fallen into several palpable inaccuracies on this subject, which it is 
important to rectify : thus he begins : " Rowland, son of the late Sir 



REV. ROWLAND HiLL. 



5 



Sir Richard Hill, Bart, the elder brother of the subject 
of this Memoir, was, in many respects, a congenial spirit with 
the latter ; and their history is so interwoven, that we shall 
have frequent occasion to mention him hereafter : for which 
reason it will be desirable to introduce a brief account of him 
in this place. He was born at Hawkstone, near Shrewsbury, 
in the year 1733, consequently was eleven years .older than 
Rowland. He received his eduealiuii at Westminster school, 
from whence he removed to Magdalen College, Oxford, where 
he graduated as Master of Arts. He then made the tour of 
Europe, in company with the late Earl of Elgin, and on his return 
home found the celebrated George Whitefield in possession of 
the pubKc mind. His pious Alma Mater, justly alarmed at the 
popularity of this field preacher, and at the inroads which he 
was making on University Statutes and the established order 
of things, had thought proper, in her great wisdom, to expel 
six of her sons, viz. James Matthews, Thomas Jones, Joseph 
Shipman, Benjamin Kay, Erasmus Middleton, and Thomas 
Grove, for acting contrary to statute rule, such as frequenting 
conventicles, praying without the use of the book of Common 
Prayer, holding what are termed evangelical sentiments, and 
preaching to a mixed multitude of people in unconsecrated 
places. Mr. Hill volunteered a defence of these young men, 
in a pamphlet which he published in the year 1768, entitled 
Pietas Oxoniensis^^ the demand for which was so great that 
a second edition was called for in the course of a few months, 
when it appeared " revised, corrected, and greatly enlarged," 



Richard, and brother to General Lord Hill, was born about the year 
1748." Here are three errors in as many lines. Rowland Hill was not 
the son, but the brother of the late Sir Richard. He was the uncle and 
not the brother, of the present Lord Hill. He was born in 1744, and 
not in 1748. The editor then goes on to state, that he was expelled 
from the University of Oxford, for preaching in unauthorized places. 
This is again incorrect : Rowland could not be ei^pelled from Oxford, for 
this obvious reason, that he was not educated there, but at Cambridge. 
And finally, his wife's maiden name was not Gudivay, but Tudway. 



6 



MEMOIRS CF THE 



with not a few " extraordinary anecdotes," illustrative of the 
composition and proceedings of the University of Oxford. 

The Monthly Reviewers, speaking of this pamphlet, thought 
proper to say, " This is a well digested and specious defence 
of the students. We look upon it to be a pamphlet of such 
dangerous tendency that it ought to be fully answered and re- 
futed by the gentlemen of Oxford, who are so freely attacked 
in it. We have not lately met with so able a vindication of 
orthodoxy and modern fanaticism ; and we cannot but appre- 
hend, that if its contents are not properly exposed and refuted, 
such a performance may impose on and mislead many an unwary 
reader. The progre&s of Methodism among us is now become 
so considerable, that it seems to be high time for rational reli- 
gion and common sense to keep a good watch, and defend 
themselves against its encroachments, lest we be again over- 
whelmed by an inundation of pious barbarism worse than that 
of those spiritual Goths and Vandals, the Monks*." 

On this Mr. Hill thus shrewdly remarks : Permit me, gen- 
tlemen, to observe that the great compliment you are so kind as 
to pay me on the ability of my performance, was as much 
unexpected as your declarations of its ' dangerous tendency' 
were apprehended. To tell you the truth, I always suspected 
you of a sly affection for infidelity, and consequently no small 
hatred for orthodoxy ; but now you have spoken out, and put 
the matter beyond suspicion ; for, by ranking orthodoxy with 
fanaticism, you have given us a plain intimation what you 
mean by ' rational religion and common sense,' viz. hetero 
doxy and infidelity, for certainly these two must ever stand in 
opposition to orthodoxy, and tliere is no despising this without 
being an advocate for those. But, gentlemen, why do you 
call the doctrine contained in 'Pittas Oxoniensis' modern 
fanaticism ? If it be fanaticism at all, I am sure it is ancient 
fanaticism and Reformation fanaticism, yea, authorized and 
established fanaticism too, seeing the whole of this fanaticism 



* Monthly Review, for June, 1768. 



RRV, ROWLAND HILL, 



•I 



2s extracted from the Articles, Homilies, Liturgj, and other 
offices of the Church of England ; so that I have at least the 
comfort of being a fanatic with some of the best and greatest 
men that ever lived, viz. our first Reformers ; whilst Messieurs 
the Reviewers, by calling the quotations 1 have made from 
their compositions ' pious barbarism, worse than that of those 
spiritual Goths and Vandals, the Monks,' have evidently- 
brought the matter to this issue — that Popery and Monkish 
superstition are greatly to be preferred to Protestantism, and 
that the Orthodoxy, Methodism, and Fanaticism, which 
rational religion and common sense ought to keep a good 
watch against, are in truth and reality the pure scriptural 
doctrines of the Reformation, and of the Church of Eng- 
land*" 

The "Pietas Oxoniensis" obtained an answer from Dr. 
Nowell, the public orator of the University, upon whom his 
antagonist retorted with considerable asperity. Soon after 
this he engaged warmly in defending the doctrines of Sovereign 
Grace and the Calvinism of the Church of England against 
Messrs. John Wesley, Fletcher of Madely, and others of the 
Arminian school. He wrote a pamphlet entitled " Christianity 
the true Religion, in answer to the blasphemy of a Deist," 
1775. When the Rev. Martin Madan's work on Polygamy 
appeared, Mr. Hill published, An Affectionate Address to that 
author, entitled "The Blessings of Polygamy displayed," 
1781. Also, "An Apology for Brotherly Love, and for the 
doctrines of the Church of England," 1798. " Daubenism 
Confuted, and Martin Luther Vindicated," 1800. " Remarks 
on one of the Charges of the Bishop of Lincoln," 1804. On 
the death of his father, he succeeded him in the representation 
of the county of Salop, and was a frequent speaker in the 
House of Commons, voting generally in concurrence with 
Messrs. Wilberforce, Thornton, and their friends. In private 
life he bore an irreproachable character: his charities were 



* Letter to the Monthly Reviewers. 



8 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



extensive, and administered with tenderness and secresy. He 
died unmarried in 1808, when his title passed to his brother 
Sir John Hill, father of the present Commander of his 
Majesty's Forces. 

Of Sir John Hill's life we find no materials for the bioOTa- 

o 

pher. He appears to have lived as a private and retired gen- 
tlemen. His lady was the daughter and co-heiress of John 
Chambre, Esq., by whom he had two sons, of which the pre- 
sent Lord R. Hill was the second. He was born at Hawk- 
stone, in the year 1772, and received his education at Rugby 
school. He entered the army at an early period of life, and 
was rapidly advanced, for his numerous and important 
services, to the rank of Major General, and in the several 
stages of his advancement, not only gained the approbation of 
the various commanders under whom he served in successive 
campaigns, but also endeared himself to the junior officers and 
men, to whose accommodation he was always particularly 
attentive. But to trace this distinguished officer in his mili- 
tary career, from the memorable battle of Alexandria, in the 
year 1801, to the termination of the great struggle in that of 
Waterloo, a.d. 1814, would require a volume, and therefore 
cannot be entered on in this place. In the History of the 
Peninsular War the name and fame of Lord Hill must ever 
hold a conspicuous place. On more occasions than one, the 
thanks of a grateful country were voted him through the 
medium of parliament, in conjunction with Lord Wellington 
and other British heroes ; and on one occasion, his name was 
thought worthy of being introduced into the speech at the 
opening of parliament, in the following manner : " The suc- 
cessful and brilliant enterprise, which ended in the surprise, in 
Spanish Estremadura, of a French corps, by a detachment oi 
the allied army under Lieutenant General Hill, is highly 
creditable to that distinguished officer, and the troops under 
his command, and has contributed materially to obstruct the 
designs of the enemy in that part of the Peninsula." 

The unanimous thanks of both houses of parliament were 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



9 



voted to him " for the valour, steadiness, and exertion so 
successfully displayed by him, in repelling repeated attacki 
made on the positions of the allied army, by the whole French 
force under Marshal Soult, between the 25th of July and tbe 
3d of August, 1813." Soon after this he received the free- 
dom of the city of London, with a valuable sword, as a 
testimony of respect for his long and meritorious services. 
And this honour had scarcely been paid him, when the Prince 
Regent (afterwards George the Fourth) was pleased to advance 
him to the dignity of the peerage, by the title of Baron Hill, 
of Almarez, in Portugal, and of Hawkstone, in England : at 
the same time, parliament, to enable him to support the dig- 
nity, voted an annuity of two thousand pounds, which is also 
to be enjoyed by two successors in the barony. 

Of his Lordship's conduct on various other occasions, and 
particularly in the battle of Waterloo, we forbear to speak. 
The time is not come to enter with propriety on such a dis- 
cussion — posterity will do him justice. Let it suffice in this 
place to record that, when his Grace the Duke of Wellington, 
at the command of his Sovereign, took office as First Lord of 
the Treasury, Lord Hill, by the preference of that Sovereign, 
was placed at the head of the army, as Commander of the 
Forces. We now turn our attention to his venerable uncle 
the late Minister of Surrey ChapeL 



SECTION n. 

MR. hill's birth, EDUCATION, AND ENTRANCE ON THE 
MINISTRY. 

Rowland Hill, the subject of this Memoir, was born at 
Hawkstone, in Shropshire, on the 23d of August, 1744. The 
Royal Free Grammar School of Shrewsbury, founded by 
Edward VI., has long maintained an honourable distinction 
among the seminaries of learning in our favoured land — a dis- 



10 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



tinction which so far from being diminished, as in many other 
instances, has of late been carried to an enviable pitch, under 
the fostering care of the learned Dr. Butler. In this school 
Mr. Hill obtained the first rudiments of his education. He 
was then removed to Eton, where he spent some years in cul- 
tivating the higher branches of education, preparatory to his 
going to Cambridge to finish his studies. It was during his 
residence at Eton that the character of Rowland Hill beffan 
to germinate and expand itself. Here he was brought into 
collision with many of the sons of our nobility, and by inter- 
course with them was led to imbibe that propensity to wit, 
which in the subsequent periods of life so much enlivened his 
conversation. We are told that, when a youth, he could 
frown at folly and reprove vice, without the indulgence of 
intemperate anger towards those that were guilty of them. 
These qualities, combined with a vivacity of manner and an 
archness of countenance, soon enabled him to surmount the 
embarrassment of an Etonian initiation, and to acquire the 
confidence and esteem of such of both tutors and students 
whose esteem and confidence were worth cultivatino-. It 
would appear from what Mr. Jay states, in the sermon which 
he delivered at the time of his interment, April 19th, 1833, 
that an important change had taken place in Mr. Hill's views 
of divine truth during the time he was a student at Eton, and 
that this was effected (under God) by means of one of Bever- 
idge's sermons, read to him by his brother, Richard Hill, 
from these words, " Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh 
away the sin of the world." That his brother considered him 
at this time brought to the saving knowledge of the truth, is 
manifest from a letter which he addressed to him, while at 
Eton, and which is so creditable to both the brothers, that I 
shall make no scruple to lay it entire before the reader. The 
single prefatory remark that we shall offer is to remind him 
that at the time the letter was written, Mr. Rowland Hill was 
only eighteen years of age, and his brother Richard, the 
writer of the letter, eleven years older. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



11 



Lmdon, Feb. 22d, 1762. 
My very Dear Brother, 

Though I have been in town upwards of three weeks, yet 
I have hitherto deferred writing, that I might let you know 
when the works of Archbishop Leighton, which you desired 
Archer to buy for you, were to be at Eton, where you may 
expect to have them by the next machine, directed for you at 
Eton, carriage paid. The reason they could not be got sooner 
was owing to their being almost out of print. May you, by 
the grace of God, be enabled to relish, digest, and practise 
the divine truths contained in the writings of this excellent 
prelate, than whom the Church of England never had a 
brighter ornament. But what I particularly admire in this 
Archbishop is, that spirit of patience and resignation to the 
divine will, under eveiy dispensation, which breathes through- 
out all his compositions, and plainly discovers itself to have 
been the habitual temper of his renewed heart— a temper 
which is the life and soul of Christianity, and what can alone 
bring true peace and comfort to the mind of the believer. 
But, then, how is this disposition to be obtained, since false 
presumption is often mistaken for peace of conscience, and a 
stupid apathy and insensibility may make a person think he 
has attained a true gospel resignation, when in reality he 
knows not what it means. If we may believe the Scriptures, 
it is faith which brings peace and resignation to the soul. 
" Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through 
our Lord Jesus Christ." And again, " Thou shalt keep him 
in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee." The con- 
science being first awakened by the Holy Spirit, to see its 
own defilement, and afterwards pacified by an application of 
the blood of sprinkling, attains a sweet composure, and resting 
upon the faithfulness of the Redeemer, and the all-suflSciency 
of his undertaking, is assured that all things shall work 
together for good, to those who love God, and are called 
according to his purpose." 

This consideration makes it the desire of the Christian's 



12 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



heart, that the will of God may be done in him and by him, 
and therefore, under the most distressing circumstances, or 
sharpest siifFerings, he can say, "Lord, thou knowest what is 
good for me, better than I do for myself; therefore not my 
will but thine be done." Moreover, the soul, thus brought 
out of darkness, into the marvellous light of the Gospel, sees 
an amiableness and excellency in Christ Jesus, which before 
he knew nothing of. Once he could look upon the blessed 
Redeemer as having " no form nor comeliness in him, that he 
should desire him but now he sees him to be " altogether 
lovely, the chief among ten thousand, full of grace and 
truth." 

Having now obtained the precious faith of God's elect, 
Jesus is become precious to his soul, " for to them that believe 
he is precious," says St. Peter. Time was when this poor 
perishing world, and its riches, honours, and pleasures ran 
away with his affections; but the bent of his heart being now 
changed, he pants only after " the unsearchable riches of 
Christ. "^ — the honour which cometh from God, and those 
pleasures which are " at his right hand for evermore." Time 
was when his own will was his rule, and the commandments, 
ordinances, and people of God, were all irksome to him ; but 
now, " being born from above, and passed from death unto 
life," it is the desire of his heart to be guided by the 
word and Spirit of God — ^lie accounts his commandments 
no longer grievous, but a light and easy yoke. He says 
of the ordinances, " It is good for me to be here," and 
his delight is in the saints of the earth, and all such as excel 
in virtue. 

These things, my dear brother, I am well assured, you 
know by happy experience; and most certain it is, that " flesh 
and blood hath not revealed them unto you ; for the natural 
man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, neither 
can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 
Human nature can rise no higher than its own source, which 
is "earthly, sensual devilish*" "but the anointing which 



REV. nOWLmO HILL. 



13 



you liave received of the Holy One abideth in you, and he 
shall lead you into all truth.^* " Nature," says good bishop 
Cowper, " is stark blind to the things of grace, since these 
can only be apprehended by divine illumination, nor can be 
taught by any other teacher than the Spirit of God." But 
though it has pleased the Lord to show you, in some measure, 
the mysteries of his kingdom, yet remember that you are but 
" a babe in Christ, and know but in part." Therefore, be 
frequent and earnest in prayer for fresh supplies of know- 
ledge, faith, grace, and strength; and you have all possible 
encouragements to be so, since " in Christ all fulness dwells, 
and out of that fulness we receive grace for grace." 

Learn then to guard against self-dependence, and to live 
more upon Christ. See that he be made unto vou wisdom and 
righteousness, and sanctification and redemption. Resign 
yourself to Him in all his offices, as a Prophet, Priest, and 
King — a Prophet to teach you, a Priest to make atonement 
for you, a King to reign over you, and in you. View him in 
his pastoral office, in the character of the good Shepherd, 
" the Shepherd that gave his life for his sheep." Consider his 
watchfulness and tender care for his dear chosen flock that 

little flock, to whom it is his good pleasure to give the king- 
dom," having redeemed them by his blood, " out of every 
tongue, and kindred, and people;" having promised them 
eternal life, and "betrothed them unto himself in faithfulness, 
that they might never perish, and none pluck them out of his 
hands." 

Consider, my dear brother, h ow that, when vou as a poor 
helpless sheep, were gone astray, this dear shepherd sought 
you and brought you back. Remember how, when wandering 
further and further from his fold, he made you hear his voice 
and follow him, "carrying you as a lamb in his bosom, and 
gently leading you whilst you were yet young." O think of 
this " love which passeth knowledge," and may it fill your 
heart with praise, and your tongue with thanksgiving. Let it 
constrain you to live to him who died for you, and to grow 



14 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



daily more and more in conformity to his blessed image, that 
so you may "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all 
things, and by well doing, put to silence the ignorance of 
foolish men, who would falsely accuse your good conversation 
in Christ." 

But, remember, that it is not sufficient that you set yourself 
against outward sins ; you must be watchful against heart sins — 
those sins that are most woven in you by nature and constitu- 
tion. Therefore, try and examine yourself what manner of 
spirit you are of. Take the Psalmist's advice, " Commune 
with your own heart, and in your chamber, and be still." 
Fear not to know the worst of your case at all times, since 
this is the only way to mend it, whilst self-ignorance and self- 
conceit have shipwrecked their thousands. Let pride, peevish- 
ness, and self-will be brought forth, lamented, mortified ; and 
instead of these, seek to put on all the tempers and dispo- 
sitions of the meek and lowly Jesus, with all the sweet and 
lovely graces of his Spirit. Bear patiently with the perverse- 
ness and oddities of those who are under the dominion oi 
fallen nature, and therefore objects of pity, not of revenge. 
Condescend to the lowest offices for the lowest people, when 
you can thereby render the best service, either to their souls 
or bodies. " Become all things to all men," as far as you 
can consistently with your holy profession ; yet take care that 
you abuse not your liberty for a cloak to sin ; for sin, in the 
least degree allowed, or consented to, will damp your comfort, 
deaden your graces, and hinder your progress in the divine 
life. See, then, that you be watchful against the first risings 
of sin; dally not with so dangerous an enemy. And though 
it will plead hard to be spared, give it no quarter, but " clothe 
yourself with the whole armour of God," and fight like 
a true Christian soldier, in the strength, and under the 
banners of the great Captain of your Salvation, till " Satan 
be bruised under your feet, and death be swallowed up in 
victory." 

I shall add one word more, and I have done. Be diligent 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



15 



m your studies. However human learning may prove a 
snare to such as are "vainly puffed up in their fleshy minds," 
yet in a gracious heart it is very desirable. And, if it be 
your prayer and endeavour that whatsoever attainments you 
make in profane literature, may be subservient to the nobler 
end of rendering you instrumental to the good of souls, and 
useful to the church of Christ; there is no fear of your being 
hurt by those detestable maxims and principles, with which 
the most admired classical authors abound; but they will 
rather be the means of discovering to you the blindness and 
depravity of human nature, and the necessity of seeking the 
only true wisdom " that cometh from above," and without 
which all other wisdom will prove, in the end, to be only 
refined folly. 

And now, with my sincere prayers, that, if it be the will of 
God ever to call you to the work of the ministry, you may be 
fitted and prepared by his Grace and Holy Spirit, for that 
most important office; and by your steady attachment to our 
most excellent church, in a season wherein there is so dreadful 
a departure from the doctrine of her homilies, articles, and 
common prayer, may prove yourself a faithful labourer in the 
vineyard of our blessed Lord, I conclude myself, 
Your most affectionate brother. 

Both by grace and nature, 

Richard Hill. 

P. S. Pray remember me in love to our dear brother, to 
whom you may either read or show this letter, which I desire 
you will keep, as I hope it may hereafter, as well as at present, 
be of some use to you. 

Mr. Rowland Hill religiously complied with his brother's 
request in the postscript to this letter; he carefully preserved 
It, and m transmitting it for insertion to the Editor of the 
Jivangehcal Magazine more than thirty years afterwards, he 
accompanied it with a short note, in which he said, « the en- 
closed was written to me by my brother, Sir Richard, when I 
was first called to the knowledge of the truth, being at that 



16 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



time a boy at Eton School. He was then himself but young 
in the divine life. Perhaps what was a blessing to me^ may 
likewise be profitable to some young persons among your 
readers, in similar circumstances." 

Before we dismiss this letter, it may be permitted the pre- 
sent writer to say that he subscribes to the judgment passed 
upon it by a friend who, in referring to it, thus remarks : 
" This valuable epistle merits special notice, both on the 
writer's account as well as his brother's, to whom it was ad- 
dressed. It exhibits the creed of Sir Richard Hill, not only in 
its earliest, but in its best and purest state. Seldom can it be 
said, that the first opinions of a Christian convert are purer and 
better than those which he is afterwards and ultimately led to 
form. The experience of years, and the intercourse of man- 
hood and age with the intelligent of the church, and the ex- 
cellent of the earth, often give an accuracy as well as a sound- 
ness to his doctrinal system, which it wanted in the earliei 
stages of his religious course." The effect of this letter ac- 
vorded with its scriptural character. Rowland Hill is said to 
have formed a just estimate of its value, and thought more 
highly of it than of all the subsequent productions of his bro- 
ther's pen. Nor can we wonder at this. Sir Richard, as he 
advanced in manhood, is well known to have drank into the 
system of Ultra Calvinism, and to have imbibed a predilection 
for discussing " the deep things of God," into which he was 
probably drawn by his partiality for the writings of Toplady 
and others of that school, no less than by his dislike of the Ar- 
minianism of Wesley and Fletcher. Though from the first of his 
setting out, Rowland was a decided Calvinist, yet he did not 
follow his brother in " his march of sentiment ;" or, if in the 
warmth of a youthful profession, and the heat of polemical 
contest, he incautiously imbibed his brother's creed for a 
while, he had the wisdom to retrace his steps, and as will here- 
after very satisfactorily appear from his published pieces, he 
preserved a happy consistency between the two extremes of 
high and low — of supralapsarianism on the one hand, and of 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



17 



Arminianism on the other ; the Scylla and Charybdis of the 
present day. 

Mr. Hill remained at Eton about four years, whence he was 
removed to Cambridge, and entered St. John's College, when 
little more than eighteen years of age. Here he found a fellow 
collegian, of a somewhat kindred spirit ; one to whom he could 
unbosom himself, and with whom he could take sweet counsel 
on every emergency. This was the late David Simpson, of 
Macclesfield, author of the well-known " Plea for Religion, and 
the Sacred Writings." There were many points of resemblance 
between these two friends. They were men of the same cast of 
character, fashioned after the same pattern, and for the same 
purposes. Their habits of thinking, and some of their modes of 
expression, were remarkably alike. As pulpit orators, indeed, 
the resemblance failed. Mr. Simpson never possessed Mr. 
Hill's strength of voice and power of utterance; besides which 
he was shackled more with ecclesiastical trammels, he was 
more of the Church of England Clergyman, and consequently 
restrained from that freedom of manner and familiarity of illus- 
tration in which Mr. Hill always delighted to indulge. It has 
been doubted, whether at any period of his life, but especially 
during his residence at Cambridge, Mr. Simpson imbibed so 
full a share of Calvinistic sentiment and feeling as Mr. Hill 
did. But in all the essential features of the Christian character 
the resemblance was striking. They both possessed an intre- 
pidity and independence of spirit which little brooked restraint, 
and rendered their attachment to the Church of England of 
comparatively little force when opportunities of greater useful- 
ness beyond its pale presented themselves, and they were likely 
to do more good by breaking than by observing canonical 
rules. 

While prosecuting his studies at Cambridge.' Mr. Hill also 
formed an acquaintance with the late Mr. Robinson, of Leices- 
ter, and the present Mr. Charles Simeon, of Cambridge. Being 
of the same college with the latter, it was their custom to read 
the Greek Testament together, and to join in prayer for the 

c 



18 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



blessing of heaven on their studies. Mr. Hill, at a subsequent 
period of life, thus delivered his opinion of the University. 
" During my residence at this seat of learning, even drunken- 
ness and whoredom were deemed less exceptionable practices in 
a candidate for the ministry, than visiting the sick and impri- 
soned, and expounding the Scriptures in private houses. For 
these last mentioned offences, I met with no less than six re- 
fusals before I gained admission into the ministry of the estab- 
lished church*." Concerning Mr. Simpson, in particular, Mr. 
Hill adds, " Our acquaintance commenced at Cambridge. 
Being of the same college, our custom was to read with each 
other the Greek Testament, and other evangelical publications ; 
these meetings we always concluded with prayer. The Uni- 
versity then was almost in total darkness. No wonder, there- 
fore, if, for such exercises, and for some other strong symptoms 
of a Methodistical bias^ we were speedily marked, and had the 
honour of being pointed at as the curiosities of the day. This 
did good. Others soon joined us^ to the number of ten or 
twelve. Some of them were Nicodemian disciples ; others have 
proved bold and useful ministers ; and some of them, I trust, 
have been taken to glory." 

At the time that Mr. Hill was prosecuting his studies at 
Eton and Cambridge, the celebrated George Whitefield was in 
the zenith of his popularity, if he may not rather be said to 
have commenced his retrocession. His advocates and adver- 
saries were contending about him with the greatest zeal. Into 
this contest Mr. Hill entered warmly, and sided himself as a 
champion for Whitefield. He read all that issued from the 
press on either side of the question, and acquainted himself 
fully with the facts of Mr. Whitefield's character and career, as 
well as the principles on which they were formed and governed. 
The writings of Henry, Doddridge, and Hervey, became now 
the favourite object of his theological studies, and he made 



* Journal of a T'our to Scotland, p. 45. 



REV^ ROWLAND HILL. XJ^ 

himself master of them, which tended much to the establish- 
ment of ins mmd in that system of doctrines by which his own 
ministry was subsequently regulated. Before he attained the 
proper age of entering into what is called " holy orders," he 
had preached in the prison, and in private houses also in Cam- 
bridge, as well as in the chapel and tabernacle of Mr. White- 
field, in London. This latter was a bold step, and blamed by 
many of his friends, for it at once identified him with the cause 
of Calvinistic methodism. To Mr. Wliitefield's society it was, 
without doubt, a cause of exultation; the accession of a per' 
son of Mr. Hill's family connection, talents, and character, and, 
moreover, one whose example was likely to be so influential 
was hailed with triumph. The son of a baronet, and a Cam- 
bridge student, was likely to give consequence to this risino- 
community, and appeared as the first fruits of an abundant 
harvest. Some of Mr. Hill's warmest friends, however, viewed 
this subject in a different light: they thought him much too 
precipitate, and called his methodism very immethodical. Mr. 
Toplady, in particular, who held him in great estimation, now 
began to show both alarm and displeasure; the latter, that he 
had so early and so openly sanctioned the principle of dissent 
from the national establishment; and alarm, lest his eccentric 
spirit should lead him to a departure from its articles and ho- 
milies, as well as its discipline and rules. His own family, too, 
especially his father, deeply regretted this signal mark of in- 
ditference to the establishment, which might soon strengthen 
mto defiance of its power, and renunciation of its principles. 
That the headstrong and heedless zealot, as they called him, 
was not cut off as a hopeless branch, and left to take root and 
flourish where he could, or wither through want of stability and 
support, is ascribed to the influence and intercession of his 
brother Richard, whose devoted attachment to Rowland, and 
whose hopes of his final and flourishing success as a preacher 
of the everlasting gospel, no deviation from canonical rules, 
had any power to abate, while he saw him every day becoming 
more rooted and grounded in the principles of Christianity. 

c 2 



20 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



Previous to his quitting the University, Mr. Hill took the 
degree of Master of Arts, with some degree of eclat ; but the 
general knowledge of the fact, that he had occasionally preached 
at the Tabernacle and Tottenham-court -road chapel certainly 
threw impediments in the way of his obtaining ordination. 
The compiler of the Georgian Era, however, must be wrong in 
attributing this to his having rendered himself conspicuous as 
" a field-preacher," for there is no proof on record that he had 
ever " gone forth into the high ways and hedges," prior to his 
ordination. It is related that, on his receiving a remonstrance 
for his partial secession from the church, in which, on account 
of his family influence, he was sure to have preferment, he 
replied, " My desire is to win souls, not livings ; and if I can 
secure the bees, I care not who gets the hives ;" an anecdote 
which is very likely to be true, for it is exceedingly charac- 
teristic of the man. The obstacles, nevertheless, were in time 
removed ; he obtained a title to orders, and was ordained Deacon 
of the establishment, by Dr. Moss, then Bishop of Bath and 
Wells. He seems to have possessed sufficient ambition to 
prompt him to the wish of rising at leapt one step higher on 
the clerical ladder, by being ordained a priest (or presbyter), 
as Whitefield and Wesley had been before him ; but in that he 
could never succeed ; which led him frequently, in after life, to 
jest upon the subject, and say, " he had but one boot, with 
which to travel the journey of life." 

Whitefield died, A.D. 1770, and an opinion generally pre- 
vailed that his mantle had fallen on Rowland Hill. It was sai 
that the latter strove to convert this opinion into fact, by endea- 
vouring to place himself in the vacant seat of the departed 
prophet, and henceforth hold the crook of supreme pastoral 
authority over the flock, whom the death of that eminent man 
had left without a shepherd. It is, perhaps, impossible to prove 
either the ti'uth or the falsehood of this charge ; yet it appears 
sufficiently improbable and unreasonable to lead every candid 
mind to doubt its correctness. At all events, if any such eff'ort 
was made, no one acquainted with Mr. Hill could ascribe it to 



REV ROWLAND HILL, 



21 



improper motives, or suppose it to have been made in an im ■ 
}!roper manner. At this early period, as well as ever after- 
waids, he evinced a mind quite superior to all sordid or ambi- 
tious motives. 

Mr. Hill made his first appearance as an author, in the year 
1776, in a funeral discourse, entitled, " A Token of Respect, 
to the Memory of the late Rev. James Rouqaet; being the 
substance of a Sermon, preached in the parish church of St, 
Werburgh, in the city of Bristol, on Sunday, November 24th, 
1776, by Rowland Hill, A.M. Chaplain to the Countess of 
ChederficlcL Everv page of this production affords proof of 
the writer's fervent regard to the memory of the deceased, who 
appears to have been Mr. Hill's second self, an indefatigable 
labourer in the Lord's vineyard, preaching for many years of his 
life seldom less than seven times in the week. 

i\lr. Rouquet was a descendant of a family of French refu- 
gees who fled from France to England, for the sake of enjoying 
the inestimable blessings of civil and religious liberty, probably 
at the time of the revocation of the edict of Nantz. As Mr. 
Hill's testimony is most honourable to his christian character, 
and especially as the printed Sermon has long since disappeared 
from public view, the reader will not be displeased at meeting 
with a short extract from it in this place. 

" As I had the honour of a very intimate acquaintance with 
him, ever since I have known this city, I am happy that I have 
it not only in my power thus to declare the excellencies of his 
public character ; but can bear witness to his truly Christian 
deportment in private life. As a husband, his most amiable 
widow sustains a loss that no words can reach. Those silken 
cords both of nature and grace, were so twined around their 
hearts, and had made them so completely one in all they said 
or did, that if ever twain were really seen to be one flesh, it 
might have been seen in them. As a father, his children were 
not driven but led ; not alarmed, but allured into obedience. 
Though he was fully sensible that it highly became a minister 
of Christ to govern well his own house, yet he wisely judged, 



22 



rflEMOIRS OF THE 



government was much better kept up by the persuasive influ- 
ences of love, than the rod of iron. His servants will next bear 
me witness to the loss they sustain in a master, that ever be- 
haved to them with the tenderness of a father. The well known 
and deserved hatred he ever bore to the horiid principles of 
political tyranny abroad, which entirely arose from the gene- 
rosity of his heart, would never permit him to act as a petty 
tyrant at home. As a merciful man he would have been ashamed 
to have used cruelty to a dog. He beheld his servants as his 
fellow- creatures, and knew that they had as much right to hap- 
piness as himself. Disdainful looks, proud, snappish, severe 
speeches, which some can make use of upon every supposed 
offence, were never seen or heard from him. Hence none of 
those changes appeared among his servants, which so sadly dis- 
grace the families of many. As a friend, from a very intimate 
acquaintance with him, give me leave to bear my testimony, 
that one more constant and sincere I never found: to have 
equalled him would have been difficult, to have excelled him 
impossible. From the best of motives, he was of a more gene- 
rous turn than to love in prosperity alone ; in adversity he was 
the same, his conduct was invariable throughout. It frequently 
also happens, that the method in which kind actions are per 
formed, adds a double lustre to the action itself, and in this respect 
our dear friend was peculiarly happy. His free and affable 
disposition would never permit him to disgrace the cause of 
God by a sullen moroseness, too much adopted by some. 
That heavenly cheerfulness which true grace must ever inspire, 
united to the natural sweetness of his temper, gave him an op- 
portunity to prove that it never was the end of the gospel of 
Christ to make men melancholy and severe. 

" But amidst all these amiable endowments, is it to be won- 
dered at, since * there is not a just man upon the earth that 
liveth and sinneth not,' if one hears a distant hint, as if, now and 
then, my dear-loved friend might have been supposed to have 
made somewhat of a small elopement from that cheerfulness 
which is truly Christian, towards a disposition too much bor- 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



23 



dering upon a turn of pleasantry, which might have needed a 
little more the spirit of solemnity ? With the greatest delicacy 
I drop the hint, and am glad to cover it with the mantle of 
love, by lamenting before you all^ the same iceahiess in myself ! 
A lively, active disposition is too apt to lead into this mistake : 
in many things we offend all ; it is alone because ' the Lord's 
compassions fail not, that the best of the sons of men are not 
consumed.' 

" As a minister he was thoroughly disinterested. The dirty 
motives of filthy lucre were by no means the springs that ac- 
tuated his labours in this department of his life ; he was above 
the thought of considering how much he was paid for, and 
meanly making that the limits of his work. As he knew that 
from his master above he had freely received^ so he thought it 
his honour freely to give. And if his upright and enlarged 
heart might now and then have constrained him to go beyond 
the bounds of a human establishment (however good in its 
place), 'tis no wonder to find the contracted bigot despise him 
for his Catholicism. But however despised by them, his me- 
mory, by the candid Christian, shall be deservedly respected. 
And did we all but more duly consider that we hasten as fast as 
time can carry us to that judgment seat where all these sha- 
dows shall be eternally forgotten, we should be more apt to 
respect that man as the wisest who contends most earnestly for 
the substance of religion." 

Every candid reader will be ready to admit that this is a very 
honourable testimony to Mr. Rouquet's character, and in the 
manner of saying it he will no less appreciate that of Mr. Hill. 
The latter, it seems, was at his bed-side when he breathed his 
last; prayed with him and for him when in the agonies of 
death; witnessed the supports which the Gospel afforded him 
as he walked through the valle}' of the shadow of death ; and saw 
him sweetly fall asleep in Jesus. His funeral was attended by 
a large concourse of people, who felt and feelingly lamented 
the loss they had sustained, and wept aloud at his grave. On 
this affectino; scene, Mr. Hill remarks as follows: 



24 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



"But perhaps some secret objector might wish to urge, if 
shame did not prevent, that scarce any but the poor attended 
him with these honours to the grave. True, my friend, it is 
most cheerfully granted ; and they are the people whose simple 
and undisguised ideas will give you the most faithful portrait 
of the upright man's character. The sordid motives of interest 
and ambition are those which principally sway the rich. I speak 
this to their shame ! Gladly, therefore, do I admit the charge, 
my brother Rouquet was highly honoured, for he was honoured 
by the poor : and when most of our heads are laid low in the 
grave, his memory shall still be revered, while those that live 
only to themselves, however esteemed among the great and 
noble in this world, shall soon be forgotten, as a dead man out 
of sight, for ' the memory of the just is blessed, but the name 
of the wicked shall rot' " 

Here I should have taken leave of this interesting sermon, 
were it not that the singularity of the Dedication tempts me to 
lay it before the reader as affording a happy illustration of one 
feature in Mr. Hill's own character, viz. his condescension to 
men of low estate. 

" TO THE POOR. 

" Fulsome and flattering dedications to the rich are frequent 
enough: let me, however, for once, be permitted to deviate 
from the common path, and dedicate this token of respect to 
the memory of my dear-loved friend, to the use and benefit of 
the poor. A generous mind will scorn to despise you on ac- 
count of that poverty and distress under which you may be 
called to labour; but will rather esteem it an honour to exert 
itself to the utmost in every act of mercy and compassion, to 
alleviate the different sorrows which, from your situation, you 
must necessarily sustain. 

" Suffer me, therefore, sincerely to condole with you, the loss 
you at this time lament, of one that never wished for higher 
promotion than to dedicate his time, talents and all, to your 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



25 



temporal and eternal good. And at the same time faithfully to 
warn you, lest, after all his labours of love, he should only ap- 
pear to rise up in judgment against you and increase your con^ 
demnation. Let me also beseech you to beware of that foolish 
confidence, too common among the poor, of supposing your 
mere outward poverty will procure you a place in heaven. A 
confidence this, which I fear deludes its thousands. No poverty 
can be an excuse for sin. Remember you must first be changed 
before ever 3'ou can be finally saved. 

" Amidst the loss of all other friends, let me recommend to 
you one friend that still lives, and ever lives ; the friend of 
sinners, the adorable Lord Jesus. Your poverty shall be no 
bar against the enjoyment of the riches of his salvation. The 
language of the Gospel is, ' Whosoever will, let him come.' 
He knows not how to shut the door of mercy against the beg- 
gar's cry. As sure as they come, so sure shall they meet with 
the choicest blessings, ' Wine and milk, without money and 
without price. 

" I hope the Lord has put it into my heart to esteem it my 
honour to spend and be spent for your service. My condes- 
cending master loved the poor, and it is impious in his minis- 
ters to dare to despise them. I am glad to present you this as 
a proof that Llove you, accept it therefore as such, and as 
coming from the heart of 

" Your willing servant, for Christ's sake, 

"Rowland Hill." 

« Bristol, Nov. 28th, 1776." 

Mr. Hill was ordained to a curacy in Gloucestershire ; but 
he presently found, that were he to restrict himself to the dis- 
charge of the clerical functions of that station, it would be at 
a vast expense of general usefulness. He, therefore, for about 
a dozen years after Whitefield's death prosecuted his favourite 
plan of itineracy; preaching, wherever he could gain admit- 
tance within canonical walls, or to an audience without them. 
Very few churches and pulpits have been at his use, and *n 



26 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



them he could not obtain admission at pleasure. He could not 
long remain stationary within the narrow precincts of an obscure 
village parish ; he consequently resigned his curacy, and, in 
imitation of his illustrious predecessor, Whitefield, he soon 
began to lift up his voice in a more extended sphere of labour; 
to proclaim the gospel to listening crowds in barns and meet- 
ing-houses, and when those were insufficient to contain the 
audience, or too distant or difficult to be procured, he scrupled 
not to take his station in streets, and fields, by the highways and 
hedges. "His condition in life," says Mr. Jay, " his youth, 
the sprightliriess of his imagination, the earnestness of his address, 
produced an amazing attention and effect. He preached in the 
streets, on the quays (of Bristol), and at Kingswood, among the 
colliers. He spread through the several neighbouring counties of 
Wiltshire, Somersetshire, and especially Gloucestershire. In 
the latter county many were awakened and truly converted to 
God ; where, by his labours also, several congregations, now 
large and flourishing, were founded. One of these was established 
at Wotton-Underedge. This drew much of his regard. He 
there built a tabernacle, and attached to it a dwelling-house, 
which he always afterwards continued to occupy as the centre 
of his retreat and excursions when in the country. 

" Going forth to the Redeemer without the camp, he had of 
course to bear his reproach, and he rejoiced to bear it. Mis- 
representation, and ridicule, and scorn, were plentifully applied 
by the haters of vital godliness. He frequently met with 
personal indignities from missives often employed at that pe- 
riod, especially when the service was out of doors. We need 
not wonder also, that he should meet with opposition for a time 
from some of his own connections, and be denied those sup- 
plies which produced occasional and temporary dependence. 
But how honourable was this ! seeing it was an act of choice, a 
sacrifice to usefulness, a conformity to him who became poor, 
tliat others, through his poverty, might become rich*." 



* Funeral Sermon, p. 24. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



27 



It was at this period of his life, that the writer of this 
account first enjoyed an opportunity of hearing him. It was 
in the city of Chester, about the year 1778, now fifty-five 
years ago; at which time, begging pardon of Mr. Jay for the 
use of an obnoxious term, against which he has entered his 
protest, Mr. Hill's preaching was in the highest altitude of 
rhapsody and rant! Twenty years after that, he heard him 
at Surrey Chapel, when age and experience had ripened the 
fruit of his education and studies ; but, even then, there was 
a plenitude of enthusiasm about him, at least suflficient to 
demonstrate that he still adhered to the maxim on which he 
set out, namely, that " strong sense requires strong sound." 
He was then in the meridian of life ; and, as one has de- 
scribed him a somewhat " handsome man, of a tall commanding 
stature, with highly expressive features, a keen searching eye, 
and a singularly fine nose, which was bold and aqualine, but 
in exact proportion to his face. His voioe, too, was very 
powerful ; and, at times, melodious. When he first entered 
the pulpit, his nervous agitation was often extreme, and every 
member of his body seemed to shake. He gave out his text 
indistinctly, and almost inaudibly ; and it was only as he 
proceeded that his tones rose, and he became colloquial or 
humorous. He had the art of instantly arresting the attention 
of his hearers ! and as he seemed to address them from the 
fervour of his own feelings, he often produced a strong effect 
on theirs. His action, too, though often ludicrously distorted, 
would sometimes, when he leaned forward on the sconces of the 
pulpit, become truly graceful and dignified. 

Mr. Whitefield's popularity may be considered on the wane 
from about the year 1765, though he survived till 1770; but 
a good deal of the intervening period was spent in America 
and in voyages across the Atlantic, which the declining state 
of his health probably rendered necessary. It was at this 
juncture that Augustus Toplady began to ascend the horizon, 
and to shine as a star of the first magnitude among the Evan- 
gelical divines of the day. He was born at Farnham, in 



2S MEMOIRS OF THE 

Surrey, November 4, 1740, so that he was only four years 
older than Mr. Rowland Hill. His father, a captain in the 
army, died at the siege of Carthagena, soon after his birth. 
He received the rudiments of his education at Westminster 
school; but his mother being obliged to visit Ireland, to 
prosecute her claim to an estate in that country, he accom- 
panied her thither, and was entered of Trinity College, Dublin, 
where he graduated, Bachelor of Arts. He received holy 
orders in 1762, and after some time was inducted into the 
living of Broad Hembury, in Devonshire. But finding his 
constitution much impaired by the moist atmosphere ot 
Devonshire, he removed to London in 1775, and became the 
centre of attraction to the Evangelical party in the establish- 
ment. At the solicitation of his friends he engaged the chapel 
belonging to the French protestants in Leicester-fields, where 
he preached twice in the week, while his health permitted, 
and afterwards occasionally, until the time of his death, 
August 11, 1778 ; which it is supposed was accelerated by his 
intense application to study. He was, we believe, the osten- 
sible editor of a small monthly publication, entitled " The 
Gospel Magazine," characterized by nothing so much as its 
caustic and acrimonious spirit against Mr. Wesley, the " great 
Apollo" of the methodists, whom he lampooned from month to 
month, both in prose and verse, with little regard to truth or 
decency, but to the infinite merriment of his readers. It is 
due to his memory, however, to say, that he possessed a 
considerable portion of learning, with talents for argumentation, 
and brought a large share of metaphysical acuteness into the 
Calvinistic controversy — perhaps more than any other writer 
since Jonathan Edwards — in proof of which I may refer to his 
volume on " The Church of England vindicated from the 
charge of Arminianism" — " The Doctrine of Absolute Pre- 
destination stated and asserted"— and, also, " Historical 
Proofs of the Calvinism of the Church of England." Mr. 
Toplady's own Calvinism was of the ultra cast; le was more 
(Jalvinistic than Calvin himself, which is much to be regretted' 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



29 



because, unfortunately, he inoculated both Richard and 
Rowland Hill with the virus. The former, as he advanced 
from manhood to old age, appeared to become increasingly 
drenched in the system ; while Rowland had wisdom enough 
to recede from the ground he had once taken, and contented 
himself with strenuously advocating the doctrines of free, rich, 
and sovereign grace, in consistency with the responsibility of 
man, and the duty of all who hear the gospel, to give it a 
cordial reception. 

It has been said of Mr. Rowland Hill, by one of his bio- 
graphers, that, " for some time he occupied himself in 
defending the works of Toplady, with whose bitterness he 
seemed to have been not less imbued than with his opinions." 
But, is this true of him ? He published one or two pamphlets 
in defence of Whitefield, which were caustic enough, cer- 
tainly ; but nothing in favour of Toplady appears in the list of 
his writings, and we suspect, the paragraph referred to, must 
have been written by an Arminian, who, confounding White- 
field and Toplady, had in his eyes a certain pamphlet, entitled, 
" Imposture detected, and the dead vindicated, in a letter to 
a friend : containing some gentle strictures on the false and 
libellous harangue, lately dehvered by Mr. John Wesley, upon 
his laying the first stone of his new Dissenting Meeting 
House, near the City-road." The same biographer thus 
proceeds : " By this means he acquired the esteem of that 
violent controversialist ; who, however, highly disapproved of 
his uncanonical proceedings. In the end, his admiration of 
his master betrayed him into a violation of his dying injunc- 
tions ; for, after the death of Mr. Toplady, he pronounced a 
funeral oration concerning him, although he had expressly 
forbidden that any such honour should bo paid to his memory." 

It is easy to descry a spirit of distortion pervading the 
whole of this paragraph. In what sense was Toplady Mr. 
Hill's master? Had the latter no mind of his own? How 
then came he to refuse the counsel of his oracle, and prosecute 
a line of conduct which exposed him to the severity of censure 



30 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



from that master ? Toplady had requested that no parade 
should be made about his funeral, nor any sermon preached 
on the occasion ; and Mr. Hill delivered an oration, in place 
of a sermon, whereby " he was betrayed into a violation of 
his dying iiijimctions /" Verily, this seems to be making the 
most of the matter. 

But it would be unjust to the memory of Mr. Hill, to allow 
these severe strictures to remain unrefuted, when the means of 
vindication are so easy. The respectable editor of the 
Georgian Era is pleased to say, that " For some time he ap- 
pears to have occupied himself chiefly in advocating Toplady, 
and in writing pamphlets, which are characterized by great 
controversial bitterness.'^'' — Vol. 1, p. 460. And this unfounded 
charge is echoed by the editor of the Christian Advocate, and 
by many others. The truth is, that Rowland Hill wrote no 
pamphlet in vindication of Toplady. The one already referred 
to, entitled " Imposture detected, and the Dead vindicated, 
&c." was a defence of Whitefield — it could not be of Toplady, 
who was then living. The pamphlet made its appearance in 
1777, and Toplady did not die till August, 1778. In that 
pamphlet, there is no allusion to Toplady ; it relates to what 
Mr. Hill considered to be an unwarrantable attack on the part 
of Mr. Wesley, on the memory of Whitefield, particularly in 
endeavouring to filch from him the honour of being the first 
field-preacher. The writer of this Memoir is not called upon 
to justify all that is said in that pamphlet, but to state facts 
fairly and impartially between the parties. Mr. Hill himself 
did not attempt to vindicate all it contained. So far, indeed, 
was he from attempting that, that he published an ample and 
satisfactory apology, which ought to have disarmed his adver- 
saries of their hostility. The truth is, that the pamphlet was 
hastily written, in the ardour of youth and under excited feel- 
ings, and not having the opportunity of seeing it through the 
press, for he was at that time itinerating in Devonshire and 
Cornwall, he committed it to the care of an indiscreet friend, 
who introduced several things into it with which Mr. Hill was 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



31 



exceedingly grieved, when he, for ttie fim time, saw tiiem in 
print. Mr. Wesley, in his usual laconic way, answered the 
pamphlet in another, at the very moderate price of one penny! 
And this drew from Mr. Hill a second pamphlet, entitled A 
full Answer to the Rev. J. Wesley's Remarks on a late Pam- 
phlet, published in Defence of the Character of the Rev. Mr. 
Whitefield and others : in a Letter to a Friend." By Rowland 
Hill, M. A. Printed and published at Bristol, Oct.*^l, 11^77. 

In this second pamphlet, {penes me J Mr. Hill adduces 
ample proof of many things that he had asserted in his former 
production, brings forward some additional grounds of com- 
plaint against Mr. Wesley, for unjust aspersions of the 
characters of the Calvinistic Methodists, whom he had traduced 
as traitors, antinomians, &c. and then adds : 

' As I have now given what I conceive to be proof for every 
single fact I advanced in my last, relative to the merits of the 
cause, which, as I observed before, Mr. Wesley only denies, 
without scarcely the shadow of an argument to disprove what is 
alleged against h/m; I have only to leave the world to judge, 
whether Mr. Wesley has acted the part of a wise, good, or even 
honest man, in his several unjust reflections, both against the 
living and the dead ? But whilst I thus steadfastly maintain 
the truth of what I have advanced, I take this public opportu- 
nity to acknowledge, that, however irritating the mal-treatment 
and false insinuations of Mr. Wesley might have been, a softer 
style and spirit would better have become me ; and in jusiice 
to myself I must declare, that being absent from the press, 
some of the severest \exm%Inever saw till I read them in print, 
nor did the original manuscript contain the least reflection upon 
« lay-lubbers, barbers, coblers, tinkers,' &c. &c which, as 
Mr. Wesley justly observes, would have come with a very ill 
grace from me. I immediately sent to London to rectify some 
of those mistakes, but the impression was all sold off ; and 
though there was a qualifying note added to those sold in 
Bristol, yet judging it too severe, T ordered those that remained 
unsold upon my arriving in this city, (Bristol,) where I stay ed 



32 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



about three days on my journey to Wales, immediately to be 
called in ; and though I had once some thoughts of correcting 
the pamphlet for a second edition, yet upon mature delibera- 
tion, I judged it best to suppress it entirely." 

Mr. Hill afterwards adds, what I have great pleasure in 
extracting from his pamphlet: " I am glad of this opportunity 
earnestly to request such as believe, carefully to maintain good 
wor/i's, as being the only solid proof we can give before men 
that we belong to God. No person has any right to take 
consolation from the blessed doctrine of election, but such as 
prove the smcerity of their hearts by the uprightness of their 
lives, When, therefore, such are stigmatized as Antinomians, 
may they be enabled to prove the reverse, by making 
conscience of all they say and all they do. Let them remem- 
ber the divine direction given by our Lord, to ^ feed the 
hungry, to clothe the naked, to visit the sick and imprisoned,' 
and as they would wish to manifest mercy to the utmost, let 
them be frugal upon themselves, that they may be generous 
towards others ; that such as continue strangers to the gospel 
may 'by seeing their good works, be led to glorify God in the 
day of their visitation.' " 



SECTION IIL 

FROM THE BUILDING OF SURREY CHAPEL, A. D., 1783, TO 
MR. hill's first NORTHERN TOUR, 1798. 

Mr. Hill lost his father about the year 1780, and, probably, 
coming into possession of considerable property by that event, 
he soon after projected the building of Surrey Chapel, in the 
Blackfriar's Road, London. As several of the circumstances 
attending this place are incorrectly stated in the Memoirs of 
Mr. Hill, recently published, it may be as well to rectify them 
before we proceed. 

The Editor of the Patriot says, " In 1783 Mr. Hill laid th 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



33 



first stone of Surrey Chapel, which was opened in 1784." The 
writer of a more extended memoir of him, in the Christian 
Advocate, tells his readers that, " In 1783, Mr. Hill laid the 
first stone of Surrey Chapel, which, from its octagonal shape, 
was jeeringly called the Religious Round-house, and, in the 
following year, he himself opened it for divine worship, by 
preaching a sermon which he afterwards published." The 
P atriot also speaks of the " sermon as preached on occasion of 
laying the first stone of the chapel in the Surrey Road." Now 
it so happens that all these statements, which are copied by the 
monthly journalists. Congregational Magazine, Evangelical 
Register, &c. &c., and even by Mr. Jay, in his funeral sermon, 
p. 25, are incorrect, as the following narrative of facts will 
shew. The sermon referred to is now before me, and I shall 
copy the title— " Christ crucified, the Sum and Substance of 
the Scriptures, A Sermon preached by Rowland Hill, A.. M. 
on Whitsunday, June 8th, 1783, on the opening of the Surrey 
Chapel, St. George's Road. London, printed for Dilly, &c. 
1783." It is dedicated to the subscribers to, and supporters 
of the Surrey Chapel, and a N. B. at the bottom of the dedi- 
cation states, that " the profits arising from the sale of the 
sermon will be given to defray the expenses of this chapel;" 
towards which, it may be presumed, that they would go but a 
very little way ! The truth is, that the first stone of the chapel 
v^'as laid in 1782, and that it was finished in thesprino-of 1783. 
It is also clear from the title, that the sermon was not'^preached 
on occasion of laying the first stone Of the building, as often 
stated, but on opening the chapel for public worship, on Whit 
Sunday, June the 8th, and the following statement, which is 
given by Mr. Hill himself in the Preface, may serve to explain 
and account for much of those erroneous representations. 

When the first stone of the building was laid Mr. Hill de- 
livered an Address, which some anonymous person greedily 
seized hold of and sent it forth to the public as Mr. Hilfs 
Sei-mon, on that occasion. And to quote his own words, « not- 
withstandinsf the public were apprized of the imposition in 

D 



34 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



several of the daily papers, yet different Reviewers, it seems 
cliose to fight with this phantom of a publication, with a zeal 
and valour equal to that of Don Quixote of old, in his ren- 
contre with the windmill. And though I believe I shall get 
myself more discredit by taking notice of their insolence, than 
I can possibly receive from such low arts of calumny and 
abuse — silent contempt being generally the best way of treat- 
ing such mere impertinence — yet, as the authors of a novel 
production, called the European Magazine, are so amazingly 
facetious on this occasion, I hope no offence in an humble 
attempt to return the compliment in their own style." 

This is sufficient to shew how very sensitive the good man 
was at that time of day, and, for his own sake one cannot but 
regret to find him stooping from his dignified station to enter 
the lists with " impertinence he would have done himself 
much more honour by passing the matter over with "silent 
contempt." But it may amuse the reader to see how dexte- 
rously Mr. Hill could combat with these gentlemen, and, 
therefore, I subjoin an extract. 

" It is astonishing how confidence and bold assertion with 
them supply the place of truth. They tell the public I was 
born at Hawhsworth^ and I do not know that there is such a 
place in the world. Then they reduce a family of eight chil- 
dren to the number of five. Now here they may plead ignorance. 
Granted: for who can deny it? Their ignorance also taught 
them to tell the public, how ' my infatuated hearers would walk 
for miles uncovered, during the severest rain, by the side of 
my carriage, singing hymns ; that T have frequently spoken 
till I have spit blood, and much injured my constitution by my 
extraordinary energetic mode of delivery.' Now it would be 
the greatest piece of ill-manners to presume to say, I am well, 
when a body of such learned gentlemen pronounce me to be 
sick ; yet such are the wonderful effects of my fanaticism, that 
1 feel no more bad consequence from my much injured con- 
stitution, than if my zeal had never exceeded the completest 
representative of laziness in a cassock 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



" But, now a word to them about the chew-of-tobacco-stoiy, 
which, as they say, ' I told in one of my public harangues, 
about a carpenter and his labourer : how, the witty carpenter 
threw a chew of tobacco into the open mouth of the poor 
labourer, upon which the carpenter fell down and broke his 
leg.' Now mind with what solemn grimace they conclude 
their tale : ^ This narration we should deem too absurd for 
belief, if we had not heard it related in a public assembly, and, 
without controversy, by a gentleman^ too elevated to coin so 
low a tale, and too judicious to be imposed upon by idle 
stories.' Now were not such tales beneath contempt, I should 
be apt to ask this elevated and judicious gentleman to call upon 
me ^n St. George's Road, and tell me the time when, and the 
place where, the aforesaid story was told, and I promise to 
give him (which is as much as he deserves) a quid of tobacco, 
the best Virginia, for his pains : but if that gentleman and the 
rest of his comrades, for I suppose they are all of a kidney^ 
continue to go on deceiving the public, by pretending to give 
characters to people that they scarce know any thing about, 
stuffed with such gross falsehoods that thousands can con- 
tradict, cloaked with such an air of authenticity and confidence, 
I question if they must not soon leave off printing, as no body 
in their senses will give them a quid of tobacco for their 'publi- 
cation. 

" And as they are pleased to give the public charitably to 
understand, that my methodistical doctrines of grace are 
'hostile to morality,' 'tend to overthrow the duties of good 
citizens,' ' and the virtues of good men,' I could almost find 
in my heart to ask them to explain to the public our enthusias- 
tical notions of grace, and I dare say they would soon discover, 
that they know no more what they write against, than poor 
Quixote knew what he fought against, when he encountered 
the windmill. As it is impossible to encounter a fool but 
according to his folly, I have thus for once humbled myself in 
following these gentry in language almost as low as their own. 
Like eels, they are now at liberty to sink into their own mud 

D 2 



36 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



and dirt, as their safest place of refuge ; nor should I have 
adopted such a style, had it not been for the wise man's direc- 
tion, ' A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod lor 
the fool's back.'" 

After such a retort as this, it is not likely that these sage 
reviewers would again feel much disposition to crack their 
jokes on Mr. Hill publicly: he administered to them their 
quietus, and perhaps saved himself no little annoyance in after 
life from the same quarter. 

The text of Mr. Hill's Sermon is 1 Cor. i. 23, 24. "We 
preach Christ crucified," &c. — a favourite text with him to the 
close of his ministry. The topics enlarged upon are the in- 
effable importance of the holy Scriptures, as revealing a way of 
salvation to the guilty, fallen, and depraved children of men— 
the character of the Saviour as Jehovah incarnate, or the 
Word made flesh— his death, as a sacrifice for the sins of men 
— ^the divine good pleasure manifested in it — ^the ground of ^ 
hope it opens up to the view of the guilty — and the motives 
which it presents to the believer to press after sanctification or 
universal holiness of heart and life. 

But though unexceptionable on the score of doctrinal senti- 
ment, the Sermon has very slender claims to distinction as a 
composition. Things are unhappily jumbled together which 
ought to have been kept distinct ; the lucidus ordo is wanting, 
as indeed was generally the case with Mr. Hill's pulpit ad- 
dresses. Like Whitefield, he was ever rambling and desultory 
— interspersing his Sermons with flashes of wit and pleasantry 
— sometimes with sallies of invective, especially when the 
Socinians or Arminians came in his way, and he had to defend 
his own creed againsc them. In no part of his life did he ever 
display much skill in " rightly dividing the word of truth"— 
his preaching was amusing rather than edifying: and this 
formed one important ingredient in his popularity. Even Mr. 
Jay, we imagine, will hardly go so far as to affirm, that his ac- 
curacy in stating divine truth constituted him the cedar" in 
Lebanon. But to proceed. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



37 



Surrey Chapel being completed, and public worship regu- 
larly and statedly carried on in it, Mr. Hill was regarded as 
the minister or clergyman of the place, preaching there con- 
stantly during the winter months, and providing supplies for 
the rest of the year. The place, however, was not licensed as 
under his pastoral care. For, when, some years ago, the 
question of the liability of this building to be assessed for 
parochial taxes was under litigation, it turned out that it was 
vested in the hands of trustees ; and that after the payment of 
all expences incident to the keeping of it open for the worship 
of God, only a very small surplus remained. Those who re- 
garded Surrey Chapel in the light of a commercial speculation, 
and there have been many such, formed a very mistaken 
opinion of the matter ; for it is pretty well known, that, how- 
ever eagerly the sittings were taken, and however full the 
attendance, Mr. Hill was the last man to derive any pecuniary 
advantage from the success of the enterprise. To wish to 
make a gain of godliness assuredly formed no part of the 
character of Rowland Hill. 

In conducting the affairs of this chapel, Mr. Hill adopted a 
line of conduct almost unique, and, as appeared to many, ex- 
ceedingly inconsistent. "The independent and ambiguous 
ecclesiastical position which he assumed," says the editor of 
the Patriot, as theoretically a Churchman, and practically a 
Dissenter — a dissenter within the church, a churchman among 
dissenters — necessarily involved him, especially in the earlier 
part of his career, in continual political skirmishing. His very 
Catholicism sometimes put on an aggressive form; for of 
nothing was he so intolerant as of Sectarianism. But while 
he thus made himself many opponents, his blameless character 
precluded his having any personal enemies. The sarcastic or 
censorious polemic was forgotten in the warm-hearted philan- 
thropist, the indefatigable evangelist, the consistent saint. It 
is quite true that Mr. Hill both said and did things occa- 
sionally, which few other men could have said with good 
effect, or done without imprudence. But the unimpeachable 



MEMOIKS OF THi- 



integrity and purity of his intentions, the sanctity of his life, 
the charm of his manners, the dignity of true breeding which 
rescued from vulgarity his most familiar phrases and his most 
eccentric actions, conspired to secure for him, through life, 
the affectionate veneration of all who enjoyed the privilege ot 
his acquaintance, or understood his character." 

This is the testimony of one who had much better oppor- 
tunities of knowing Mr. Hill, than has fallen to the lot of the 
Writer of this memoir, and he is disposed to subscribe to its 
general accuracy. But while making this admission, he must 
beg not to be understood as palliating or being disposed to 
apologize for Mr. Hill's glaring inconsistency in trimming be- 
tween the conformists and nonconformists. This can only be 
resolved into his total unacquaintedness with the nature, con^ 
stitution, laws and discipline of the churches of Christ, as laid 
down in the New Testament. Had he ever entered properly 
into the import of Christ's good confession before the Roman 
governor, John xviii. 36, and marked how that principle is 
carried out and illustrated in the Acts of the Apostles, and 
apostolic epistles, it must have led him to a more consistent 
conduct, and one much more honourable to himself as a minis- 
ter of Jesus Christ. But look at his plan of proceeding. " In 
conformity with his Church-of- England predilections," says a 
shrewd remarker, " the Liturgy was regularly read in Surrey 
Chapel by a gentleman in a snow-white smock-frock; and 
nothing was wanting but the substitution of collects for ex- 
temporaneous prayers, and the appendage of a steeple (con- 
secration by a bishop excepted) to make Surrey Chapel as 
complete a church [micaniiig, upon the model of the national 
establishment] as any in London; for even the Lord's Supper 
was administered according to the forms of the establishment." 

Now there had been more excuse for Mr. Hill, in this sys- 
tem of accommodation, had the established church been, in his 
eyes, " a chaste virgin," pure, immaculate, all perfection, as 
some have represented her ; but how very differently Mr. Hill 
viewed her must be well known to all who have ever dipt into 



RET. ROWLAND HILL. 



a certain pamphlet, entitled " Spiritual Characteristics repre- 
sentedin an account of a most curious Sale of Curates, bj 
Public Auction!" Consistency of character would have led 
such a person to " come out from among" such an heteroge- 
nous mass of putridity, and to bear his testimony against the 
corrupt system that could tolerate such evils, and make a 
stand against them. Had he done so, the public would have 
given him credit for sincerity as well as consistency ; whereas 
his remaining in the communion of the Church of England, 
which he did to the day of his death, yet inveighing against its 
corruptions with more acrimony and virulence than any dis- 
senter of the age had done, is a sad libel upon poor human 
nature. 

But there is a further evil connected with the matter under 
consideration which demands exposure. Mr. Hill's vacillating 
conduct, in halting between the Episcopal Church and the 
Dissenters, has thrown a powerful temptation in the way of 
many of the latter class to cloke their sentiments, do violence 
to their principles, and imitate his example. Such men as 
Jay of Bath, and James of Birmingham, are tempted to leave 
their own congregations to supply by the month at Surrey 
Chapel, every year; in doing which they must unavoidably 
connive at a system of things which, as members of the Congre- 
gational body, they must disapprove of. Some of those minis- 
ters, who have at various times officiated at Surrey Chapel, 
have not scrupled to assist in administering the "sacred 
elements," and that to kneeling communicants, while, for the 
unworthy purpose of letting the pews and sittings to persons to 
whom it would be repugnant to attend a place of worship 
where the prayers of the Church of England were not read, the 
Liturgy is now read in several of the dissenting meetings in 
London and its environs, the ministers of which are avowedly 
non-conformists, and some of them, it is said, even admitted 
members of the congregational board. On this it has been 
pertmently asked, "if dissenting ministers can conform to the 
Book of Common Prayer we should like to know what else 



40 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



there is in the Church of England to which, with equal ease 
and consistency, they might not conform ?" 

It is highly amusing, to say the least of it, to listen to the 
lofty terms of panegyric, in which Surrey Chapel is spoken of 
by some ministers of this class. "No other place of worship 
m the kingdom," they tell us, " nor perhaps in the world, has 
ever, during the space of time, been the seat of so much 
genuine piety and charity. Its congregations have been 
more united — its services have been more devout — its sermons 
have been more interesting and impressive — its contributions 
to all forms of charity have been more abundant, than those 
of any other sanctuary within or without the pale of the 
established church. It has set the example .and taken the 
lead in all the most important schemes of christian benevo- 
lence, by which the last forty-five years have been distin- 
guished, and never was any former age so truly distinguished 
by such glory and virtue !" To one part of this inflated 
panegyric we can readily subscribe; it has far surpassed any 
other place of worship with which we are acquainted, in the 
number and amount of its collections ; the latter were prover- 
bially great. The sum annually collected at Surrey Chapel, for 
charitable and rehgious institutions, has been from fifteen 
hundred to twO thousand pounds a year, for many years past; 
but then the whole of it has not come from the congregation 
statedly assembling there. The Anniversary Meetings of the 
London Missionary Society, and also the Baptist Missionary 
Society, drew multitudes of strangers thither on those occa- 
sions, who went for the purpose of contributing to their 
support, which could not fail to aid in swelling the amount. 
Nevertheless, even after making these deductions, the fact will 
remain incontrovertible. Liberality was a distinguishing trait 
in Mr. Hill's own character, and his flock imbibed much of 
his own spirit. On two occasions on which collections were 
made generally throughout the kingdom, in all churches and 
chapels, viz. the Patriotic Fund at Lloyd's, and the subscrip- 
tion for the relief of the people of Germany, who suffered so 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



41 



dreadfully from the ravages of the French armies during the 
late war, the collections at Surrey Chapel are recorded to 
have been the largest raised at any one place. In allusion to 
these facts Mr. Hill is said on one occasion, while preaching 
elsewhere, for the benefit of some distressed persons, to have 
concluded his discourse in the following terms: "Put your 
hands into your pockets, and be sure there is something in 
them when they come out. Let us have a good round, Surrey 
Chapel collection !" If it be true, as told of him, the methods 
to which he is said to have had recourse, on some occasions, in 
order to stimulate the liberality of his hearers were not always 
unobjectionable. He is said, on one occasion, for instance, 
to have used the following device in order to extract the money 
from their pockets : " Let those," said he, " who have bank 
notes (and I myself will be standing at the door) go out first ; 
let those who have gold follow; let those who have silver go 
next ; and let those who have copper only, stay till every body 
else has gone out." This was surely very indiscreet, to say 
the least of it; but the system of begging has of late years 
been carried to a most unwarrantable extent in London, to the 
disgust of all reflecting minds, and it led the late Mr. Robert 
Hall to remark, that the ministers in London had but one 
text to preach from, and that was, " Give us money." Even 
Mr. Hill himself seems, towards the end of his days, to have 
been brought to more sober reflection on the mattei. Those de- 
mands upon his benevolence became so numerous as to be 
burdensome. Writing to a minister in the country, with whom 
he was in habits of friendly intercourse, he said, " So, you 
are coming up to London on the delightful errand of begging. 
Much good may it do you ! I have had enough of that to 
last me for a good seven years to come." He seems even to 
have been led to doubt whether the enormous sums collected 
for the use of the Missionary Society were used with all the 
prudence and economy that was necessary ; for on one occa- 
sion, after a collection had been made for that society, he rose, 
and, addressing himself to those who surrounded him on the 



42 



MEMOirxS OF THE 



platform, he said, " Take care how you spend this money, 
brethren ; much of it consists of the hard earnings of the 
poor." A very salutary hint. 

Although Surrey Chapel was the centre of Mr. Hill's 
ministrations for half a century, he was in the constant habit, 
during the summer months, of making tours throughout the 
kingdom, and sometimes into Scotland and Ireland, every 
where preaching Christ's gospel, and calling sinners to repent- 
ance. He had a country residence at Wotton-under-Edge, 
in Gloucestershire, about 108 miles from London, where he 
had a house and a chapel. This enabled him to speak of him- 
self as "Kector of Surrey Chapel, Vicar of Wotton-under- 
Edge, and curate of all the fields, commons, &c., throughout 
all England and Wales." While Surrey Chapel was always 
crowded, the numbers that flocked to hear him, as he itinerated 
through the country were prodigious, often compelling him to 
take the field, and preach under the canopy of heaven. It has 
been conjectured that his person was more generally known to 
the inhabitants of Great Britain, than that of any other indi- 
vidual ; there being scarcely a town of any size in wliich he 
had not preached at one time or other, and thus been publicly 
exhibited. About the time he opened Surrey Chapel he was 
united in marriage to Mary, sister of Clement Tudway, M.P. for 
the city of Wells, who brought him considerable property, and 
thereby increased his means of liberality. Mrs. Hill died with- 
out issue a few years ago, and her husband felt the bereaving 
stroke sensibly— so acutely, ihdeed, that when the hour 
arrived for conveying her mortal remains to the silent tomb, 
at Wotton, where she died, he could not be prevailed upon to 
quit his room and accompany the funeral procession. Of this 
lady, Mr. J ay says in his funeral sermon for Mr. Hill, " I am 
sorry and unable to account for it, that so little notice has been 
taken of this excellent female. She was a truly gracious 
woman, of a very sound understanding, and possessed the 
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of 
God of great price. She was formed for a minister's wife 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



48 



by her prudence, peaceableness, untalkative temper, and 
unintermeddling conduct. She was singularly suited to the 
man she espoused, and our friend's obligations to those proper- 
ties in her character which tended to qualify the peculiarities 
in his own were great ; and T have no doubt he would have 
been willing to say of her, as Mr. Newton did of his wife, ' I 
never followed her advice, but I had reason to approve of it : 
and I never acted against it, but T had cause to repent of it.' 
It is but just to add, that Mrs. Hill always found his demeanour 
in relative and private life perfectly correspondent with his 
character in official and public life." p. 32. 

Now, if what Mr. Jay says in the conclusion of this sentence 
be true, then the number of anecdotes which have obtained 
currency for years, in which Mr. Hill is represented to have 
made this amiable woman the but of his own ridicule and of 
the mirth of his congregation, must be false ! 

In 1790, Mr. Hill favoured the world with a pamphlet of 
general and permanent utility, entitled " A Warning to Pro- 
fessors, containing aphoristic observations on the nature and 
tendency of Public Amusements, &c." A second edition of it 
was immediately called for ; and, in 1806, a third impression 
appeared with an additional Preface, and an Appendix, 
consisting of two long letters addressed to the Rev. George 
Burder, explanatory of certain paragraphs, incautiously 
penned, which appeared to bear hard upon the dissenters, and 
consequently gave great umbrage. The latter were not back- 
ward in repelling the unwarrantable attack ; and among others 
that entered the list, one of the ablest was Mr. Benjamin 
Flower, then of Harlow, who published " A Second Warning 
to Christian Professors, occasioned by some passages in the 
first, containing injurious reflections on Protestant Dissenters, 
m five letters to the Rev. Rowland Hill, A.M." A shrewd 
and sensible pamphlet, the force of which he appears to have 
felt. But passing this — 

Mr. Hill's production is an exceedingly valuable one, and 
discovers more close thinking and able reasoning than charac- 



44 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



terizes his general writings*. The amusements against which 
he enters his protest are — Theatrical Exhibitions — the opera- 
concerts, and musical exhibitions — horse-races — the card- 
table — the ball-room— gaudy attire in females, &c. Each of these 
is examined seriatim^ and their corrupting tendency pointed out. 
In what relates to plays and pantomimes, Mr. Hill has availed 
himself of the verdict of a Deist, the celebrated J. J. Rousseau, of 
Geneva ; who, infidel as he was, yet pointedly condemns them 
as panders to vice, and destructive of all virtuous principle in 
young people. The following sentence will show the reader 
the principle on which the author's reasoning turns : — " All 



* Mr. Jay lias described this pamphlet as " full of humour," wliich much 
surprised me ; having, at the time, read only the third edition, in which 
I found far less of humour than in almost any other of the author s 
productions ; and the idea instantly occurred to me whether this edition 
might not differ from the former ones. I therefore procured, witli some 
difiiculty, the, first and second editions of the pamphlet, and upon collating- 
the three, soon found my suspicions confirmed. They all differ essen- 
tially ; so much so, indeed, as to render them almost different works. 
For, instance, the following note which appears, p. 18, of the first edition, 
is not to be found in either the second or third. " A sensible old lady 
ordered a large hole to be cut in the door to let in her cat, but forbad a 
less hole to be made at the same time, that she might not be troubled 
with the impertinence of her kitten. She soon, however, discovered, that 
the cat and kitten could come in through the same hole." The long note, 
too, is withdrawn, which occupied almost wholly pp. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 
Jirst edition, in which he recommends to his reverend play-going brethren, 
the compilation of a new manual of devotion, which should contain 
forms of prayer on the following occasions : — 

A devout supplication before going to a tragedy. 
Another before going to a comedy 
A short form of prayer to be said before a farce. 
Another short prayer before a harlequin entertainment. 

He advises also a puppet-show-prayer," that people's heads may be 
made the wiser, and their hearts the better, for their devout attendance 
there. He thinks there should also be a proper prayer to be used at 
entering a ball-room — and a card-assembly — as well as the huntsman's 
prayer — and the horse-races' prayer, &c. All this is bitter, biting 
sarcasm on the clergy 



REV. ROY>LAND HILL. 45 

public amusements and entertainments which are invented by 
the people of the world must be according to their own natural 
appetites and dispositions. It is their entire study to make 
them palatable to their own inclination and taste. But the 
real Christian lives in the constant habit of self-denial, as 
respects these corrupted appetites and dispositions ; therefore, 
what delights the one, disgusts the other." 

In 1795, Mr. Hill found himself called upon to resume his 
work on the subject of theatrical entertainments, in conse- 
quence of the magistrates of the county of Gloucester having 
licensed a company of strolling players to perform at Wotton 
Underedge. The magistrates who granted this license were 
only two in number, and one of them proved to be a clergy- 
man, which led Mr. Hill to publish " An Expostulatory Letter 
to the Rev. W. D. Tattersall, A.M., rector of Westbourne, 
Sussex, and vicar of Wotton Underedge, Gloucestershire ; in 
which the bad tendency of the admission of Stage Amuse- 
ments, in a religious and moral point of view, is seriously 
considered." It is an octavo pamphlet of 44 pages, and 
informs us, that some portion of the inhabitants of Wotton 
Underedge had petitioned the magistrates to grant the license, 
on hearing which Mr. Hill drew up a counter-petition, shewing 
cause why it should not be granted ; but the former succeeded, 
and the players commenced operations. Mr. Hill procured 
printed copies of the plays acted ; and, in this pamphlet, points 
out their abominable tendency to corrupt the morals of the 
people, and then gravely remonstrates with the vicar for being 
so indiscreet as to lend his sanction to such demoralizing 
amusements. The pamphlet closes with a word to the reader, 
intimating that " from the serious opposition made to this 
new introduction of Stage amusements into Wotton Under- 
edge, he concludes that a future visit from the players was 
now over, since all the support from the ladies of the town and 
neighbourhood must be withdrawn, from what they must have 
felt by the first exhibition, to be nasty ^ profane^ and next, to 
ohscene^'^ 



40 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



SECTION IV, 

MR. hill's tours TO SCOTLAND, AND THE PUBLICATIONS TO 
WHICH THEY GAVE RISE, A. D. 1798 1800. 

Mr. Hill's visits to Scotland in the years 1798-9, his inde- 
fatigable exertions in evangelizing the regions of Caledonia, 
and the various pamphlets which he was called to publish in 
consequence thereof, constitute an interesting epoch in his life; 
but to render the narrative properly intelligible to readers of 
the present day, it will be necessary to introduce it with a short 
historical sketch of the ecclesiastical state of Scotland at that 
crisis. It was at the earnest solicitation of Robert Haldane, 
Esq. a gentleman of large propei-ty in that country, that Mr. 
Hill undertook this missionary tour, and as that Gentleman's 
name will often present itself to us in the sequel, some little 
account of him and his friends may be here advantageously 
introduced. And that I may not be guilty of misleading the 
reader by any erroneous statements, Mr. Haldane shall be al- 
lowed to speak for himself The following extract is taken 
from an " Address to the Public, concerning Political Opinions 
and Plans, lately adopted to promote Religion in Scotland," 
&c. published by Mr. Haldane, a.d. 1800. 

" Before the French Revolution, having nothing to rouse my 
mind, I lived in the country, almost wholly engrossed by 
country pursuits, little concerned about the general interests 
or happiness of mankind, but selfishly and unthankfully en- 
joying the blessings which God in his providence had so 
bountifully poured around me. As to religion, I contented 
myself with that general profession which is so common and 
so worthless, and that form of godliness which completely 
denies its power. I endeavoured to be decent, and what is 
called moral, but was ignorant of my lost state by nature, and 
of the deep depravity and corruption of my heart, as well as 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



47 



of the strictness, purity, and extent of the divine law. While 
I spoke of a Saviour I was little acquainted with his character, 
the value of his sulFerings and death, the need I stood in of 
the atoning efficacy of his pardoning blood, or of the imputa- 
tion of his perfect obedience and meritorious righteousness : 
and of the sanctifying influences of the eternal Spirit, to apply 
his salvation to my soul. When politics began to be talked 
of, I was led to consider everything anew. I eagerly catched 
at them as a pleasing speculation. As a fleeting phantom 
they eluded my grasp ; but missing the shadow I caught the 
substance; and while obliged to abandon those confessedly 
empty and unsatisfactory pursuits, I obtained, in some mea- 
sure, the solid consolations of the Gospel ; sc that I may say, 
as Paul, concerning the Gentiles of old, He was found of me 
who sought him not. 

" Sometime after this, when I trust I had been led to choose 
that good part which cannot be taken from any one, and to 
adopt the views of religion I at present hold, 1 first heard of 
the Baptist Missionary Society, and their mission in Bengal, 
It immediately struck me that I was spending my time in the 
country to little profit, while, from the command of property, 
which, through the goodness of God, I possessed, I might be 
somewhere extensively useful. After considering the matter 
deliberately for about six months, and having obtained my 
wife's consent, I proposed to Mr. Innes, then minister at Stir- 
ling, to go to Bengal, and to spend the remainder of our lives, 
in endeavouring to communicate the precious truths of the 
gospel to the Hindoos who were living under the British go- 
vernment." 

After maturely weighmg the matter for six or eight months 
longer, the subject was communicated to a few others who were 
invited to join them, and among these were Mr. Greville 
Ewing, now of Glasgow, the late Dr. Bogue, of Gojsport, and 
his own brother, James Alexander Haldane, now pastor of the 
Baptist church in Leith Walk, near Edinburgh. Every thing 
being so far arranged, Mr. Haldane sold his estate, it was said for 



48 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



thirty thousand pounds, and made preparations for quitting the 
country along with his friends, to become a missionary in India; 
a noble instance of disinterestedness and Christian zeal, such 
as, taking all the circumstances into account, has no parallel, 
since the days of Bishop Berkeley, if, indeed, the good prelate's 
conduct will bear a comparison. But to proceed : 

Aware that without liberty from the government in India, 
they would not be permitted to act upon the extensive scale 
proposed, Mr. Haldane applied to the East India Company in 
London for permission to go out, explaining in the clearest and 
fullest manner, the object which he and his friends had in 
view; but leave was refused. He next entered into a corres- 
pondence with Mr. Dundas (afterwards Lord Melville), at that 
time one of the Secretaries of State, but with no better effect. 
Both the Government and the East India Company put their 
veto on the plan, and Mr. Haldane and his friends were com- 
pelled to abandon it. This was in the year 1796. 

Thus foiled in their favourite project, reflection led them to 
view the Lord's hand in it ; and Mr. Haldane was led to say, 
" for my own part, I am satisfied in having made the attempt, 
although it appeared by the event clearly the will of Provi- 
dence, that we should not go out. I have not a doubt this was 
ordered for good ; and our being prevented, whether from un- 
worthiness, oi* from whatever other cause, which we know not 
now, we shall know hereafter. I could not, however, help ob- 
serving the massacre of the Europeans that lately took place at 
Benares, where it is probable we should have been, had we 
obtained our desire. With the apostle, then, I would here 
thankfully exclaim, ' O the depth of the riches, both of the 
wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his 
judgments, and his ways past finding out' 

Mr. Haldane now began to turn his attention to the state of 
his own native country, and to consider what he could best do 
to ameliorate the condition of its inhabitants, and promote the 
interest of the Redeemer's kingdom in it. Missionary societies 
had, for some time, been exerting themselves to send the 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



49 



Gospel to distant climes, while it occurred to him, that little or 
nothing was doing at home, where a deficiency of the means ot 
religious instruction was confessedly obvious. He, therefore, 
prevailed upon his friends to aid him in his exertions for ac- 
complishing this. The first thing which they attempted was the 
establishment of Sunday Schools, and this was carried into effect 
to a considerable extent and with great success. In the middle 
of the summer of the year 1797, three of his friends, viz. Messrs. 
James Haldane, Aikman, and Rate, proceeded on a preaching 
tour to the Northern counties of Scotland, and the Orkney 
isles. They left Edinburgh on the 12th of July, and returned 
about the 10th of November, when they communicated to the 
public the result of their mission in the form of a " Journal," 
of which three editions were printed. But their labours were 
not confined to preaching ; they distributed 20,000 tracts in the 
course of their tour, which would continue to preach after they 
had left. 

In the month of December, of the same year, a society was 
formed in Edinburgh, which had for its object the more effectu- 
ally evangelizing of Scotland, and it vfas resolved to name it 
" The Society for Propagating the Gospel at Home." But 
other avenues to usefulness continued to present themselves to 
view. Mr. Haldane devoted a considerable part of his property 
to the building of large places of worship, and hiring and fitting 
up others in most of the principal towns, in which the Gospel 
might be statedly preached and churches collected; among 
these was the Circus in Edinburgh, which had been in the poS' 
session of what is called in Scotland, the congregation, 
who first occupied it as a place of worship, but had left it. 
This being a large and commodious place, it was determined 
to invite Mr. Rowland Hill to pay a visit to Scotland, for the 
purpose of opening the place, and conferring upon it the ad- 
vantages of his popular talents for a few of the first sabbaths. 

Accordingly, in compliance with the request of Mr. Robert 
Haldane and his friends, Mr. Hill quitted Wotton-Underedge 
on Lord's Day, J uly 15th, 1798, after the afternoon service, 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



on his way to the North, travelling in his own one horse chaise, 
and attended by a single man-servant. Proceeding through 
Worcester, Kidderminster, Wolverhampton, Hanley, Maccles- 
field, Manchester, Lancaster, Penrith, Kendal, Carlisle, &c. 
&c., at most of which places, if not all of them, he preached 
either at evening, morning,- or noon-day; he reached Edin- 
burgh on Saturday, July 28th. Mr. Hill's description of the 
metropolis of Scotland is so picturesque that it merits inser- 
tion, and I therefore produce it. 

The city and its situation is the most captivating and ro- 
mantic I ever saw. The buildings are good ; the neighbouring 
hills are beautiful, and beautifully dispersed ; the bridges over 
the old town and the new are most curious, and the best 
contrived imaginable. The Frith- of-Forth, a fine arm of the 
sea, about two miles from the city, gives the scenery a look of 
the most lively and pleasant description. I was the more struck 
with the delightful situation of Edinburgh, as almost all the 
country between Carlisle and that city is dreary and bad. The 
churches in Scotland evidently seem almost the only neglected 
buildings. Many of them are slovenly and mean. St. An- 
drew's Church, in the New Town, however, exhibits a speci- 
men of neatness and taste." Mr. Hill was received at Edin- 
burgh, at the hospitable abode of Mr. James Haldane, in George 
Street, where, he declares, nothing was wanting but more gra- 
titude and thankfulness on his part for such a kind and affec- 
tionate reception. 

On the following morning. Lord's Day, July 29th, Mr. Hill 
preached for the first time in the Circus, and I give his own 
reflections upon it. " The building is large and supposed to 
contain above 2,500 people. The morning congregation was 
decently numerous. My subject was the prayer of Moses, " If 
thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence." Exod. 
xxxiii. 14, 15. I preached to the people the feelings of my 
heart. I felt the call to this city to be solemn and important, 
without our God we can do nothing. A much larger congre- 
gation attended the evening service, and I took another sub- 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



61 



ject, just suited to the frame of my mind; 1 Cor. i. 22-2 i and 
employed some time in shewing Paul's method of treating his 
proud Corinthian hearers." 

Mr. Hill continued at Edinburgh through the week, 
preaching on Tuesday at Mr. Robinson's Chapel of Ease ; on 
Thursday, August 2, at Leith, in a timber-yard, to about two 
thousand ; and, on Friday, on the Calton Hill, to a congre- 
gation of not less than four thousand! On the following 
Lord's Day he preached three times, viz., at seven in the 
morning, and again at noon, both in the Circus ; but in the 
evening, thousands could not come near the place. He 
retired, therefore, to the Carlton Hill, and preached, it was 
supposed, to ten thousand people. 

Accompanied by his friend, Mr. Haldane, Mr. Hill now 
began to make excursions into the interior of the country. 
On Monday, August 6, they proceeded to Stirling; thence to 
Dumblane, Crieff, Dunkeld, and Perth; where Mr. Hill found 
his old friend, Mr. Gairie, whom he formerly met with 
at Dublin. This good man, though licensed as a probationer 
of the Church of Scotland, and presented to the living of 
Brechin by the Crown, had been deprived of his preferment 
by the General Assembly, because he had not received an 
academical education. This cruel treatment of a man uni- 
versally respected, pure and holy in his life and conversation, 
evangeUcal and sound in his views of the Gospel, could not 
fail to call forth Mr. Hill's vituperation ; and, in truth, he does 
not spare in his castigations. Another minister, Mr. Young, 
who suffered at the same time, and for the same cause, Mr. 
Hill says, after he was rejected, came into England, where he 
languished for a few months, and died of a broken heart ! 
Descanting on the consequences of this barbarous Gothic law 
which exists in the Church of Scotland, Mr. Hill remarks that 
" many persons, with a natural thirst of leaining, by private 
helps and by personal application, have appeared among the 
first of the learned world; while, in our seminaries for public 
erudition, a stupid thick-head set may undergo the discipline 

2 



62 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



of an education, which they receive against their will, and 
which they have no sense or appetite to digest; and, after all, 
appear, if they get into the ministry much more fit for game- 
keepers, jockies, farmers, or graziers, than ministers of the 
Gospel. It is not so, blessed be Goa, witA us in England^' 
How strangely Mr. Hill forgets himself on this occasion, and 
how httle cause of boasting, he, as an Episcopalian, had over 
his northern Presbyterian neighbours, need not be told to any 
who have read a certain pamphlet, entitled " The Sale of 
Curates." 

Keturning from Perth through Kinross, Mr. Hill reached 
Edinburgh, in time for Lord's Day, August 12, where he 
again preached both morning and evening. On the Monday 
he proceeded to Glasgow, and preached out of doors to at least 
five thousand people in the church-yard of the High Church 
On Tuesday he proceeded to Paisley, and preachld again in 
the church-yard to a congregation as large as that at Glasgow 
Paisley, he pronounces the Paradise of Scotland ; and adds. 

My soul loves Paisley, for there I believe Christians love 
each other." 

After visiting Greenock and Dumbarton, Mr. Hill retumeo 
to Glasgow on the Friday, where he had again promised ta 
preach The congregation were assembling, as before, in the 
High Church-yard; but a fall of rain at the moment com- 
peLed them to seek a shelter, and they had recourse to Mr 
M'Leod's chapel, which was supposed to contain tivo thousand 
people, but many went away for want of room. The kindness 
which Mr. Hill experienced at Glasgow led him to a grateful 
recollection of it, and to say, « The kindness and attention of 
magistrates and ministers, and of the people at large in the 
city of Glasgow, will ever be remembered by me as a matter 
of thankfulness before God, and of deep humiliation to my 
own m,nd for services so poor among a people so alFectionate 
and kind." 

On Lord's day, August 19, the third of his 'residence in 
Edinburgh, Mr. Hill preached twice, viz. at seven m the 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



53 



morning, when the circus was crowded ; but he adds, " it was 
now quite out of the question to preach within doors on the 
Lord's day evenings. On the Calton Hill I addressed the 
most solemn congregation Thave seen for many years. Fifteen 
thousand, on the most moderate computatioUj was said to 
attend; some suppose a larger multitude. I know, on 
these occasions, our principal aim should be to alarm the 
sinner. This I attempted from Mark viii. 36, 37, from the 
consideration of the immortality of the soul, and the awfulness 
of eternity." 

During this third week, Mr. Hill continued to visit other 
parts of the country, accompanied by Mr. James Haldane, 
who now took the place of his elder brother ; and on Tuesday 
evening reached Dundee, where he preached to two thousand 
people out of doors ; and on the following morning a second 
sermon in the same place. They next proceeded to St. 
Andrews, where some indications of opposition led Mr. Hill to 
think, that having been treated in the west so much like a 
gentleman, he was now about to be treated as an apostle, with 
'persecution; though after such indulgences, he owns he had 
no great appetite for such sour sauce! this he feared, be- 
cause some had tasted it before him. He preached at eight 
o'clock in the morning; and with less interruption than he 
apprehended. " It is true, indeed," says he, " that a few 
things fluttered about at the extremity of the evening congre- 
gation. A pleasant sunny day produced those butterflies in 
human shape, who appeared vastly clever in their own conceits, 
and gave themselves such airs as might be expected from 
them ; consequently, entirely beneath our attention and regard. 
Notwithstanding, nothing can equal the pitiable situation of 
such hearers; as the lightness and frivolity of their minds 
prevents them from all possibility of receiving good; while 
mere froth floats upon the understanding, it requires almost 
more than a miracle of grace to persuade such ' to watch unto 
prayer,' and to ' give all diligence to make their calling and 
election sure."' " 



54 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



Of this University town, Mr. Hill's description is short, but 
interesting. It was once the metropolis of Scotland, but now 
much deserted. The ruins of the cathedi-al, upon a promon- 
tory hanging over the sea, leave but a very faint idea of the 
original magnificence of the structure, but you are pleased 
with its retired situation. The Colleges of St. Andrews still 
continue to make it a place of some little importance. Exter- 
nally, the buildings do not claim any great share of admiration. 
Of its internal contents, as they respect the divinity line, Mr. 
Hill says, " I have not sufficient information to enable me to 
say, whether it mostly abounds with holy devoted youths, 
much devoted to prayer with and for each other, longing over 
souls in the bowels of Jesus Christ, and waiting till they shall 
be sent forth to preach the Gospel ; or with others, that were 
sent thither with no other design, than ' to be made up for 
the trade.' " 

Returning homewards towards Edinburgh, Mr. Hill preached 
on Thursday evening at Kirkaldy, and again on Friday morn- 
ing — where, as he says, being all his lifetime given to blunder, 
he trespassed against the order of public worship by omitting 
the second hymn, for which offence he was seriously repri- 
manded by an aged gentleman, one of the elders of the church! 
But crossing the water to Leith, he preached in the evening to 
two thousand people in Mr. Shirreitf's park. 

On Lord's day, Aug. 26, he preached at seven in the morn- 
ing in the Circus, which was quite crowded ; and in the even- 
ing on the Calton Hill, to fifteen or twenty thousand people. 
But we cannot be surprised that such frequent preachings, and 
to such immense crowds, should prove too much, even for the 
constitution of Mr. Hill : he was engaged to preach at Mussel- 
burgh, but unable to proceed thither, and Mr. James Haldane 
supplied his lack of service. However, he was sufficiently 
recovered to preach at Dalkeith on the following day, and at 
Musselburgh on Thursday evening. On Friday Aug. 31st, 
he preached his last sermon to the people at Leith — ^the con- 
gregation consisting of about three thousand souls. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



65 



Lord's day, September the 2d, was his last Sabbath in 
Edinburgh, when he preached three times in the course of the 
da.y. The circus coukl scarcely contain the early or noon 
congregation; but in the evening Mr. Hill again took his 
station on the Calton Hill, where the congregation was "as- 
tonishingly large" — it was computed to be eighteen or twenty 
thousand people. On this occasion a public collection was 
made for the use of the Charity Work-house, which was 
thankfully received by the magistrates of the city. The follow- 
ing day, he was again engaged in three exercises: in the 
morning he addressed the children in Lady Maxwell's School 
—afterwards the unfortunate women at the Philanthropic 
Asylum— and in the evening, for the last time, at the Circus ; 
after which he set off for England, accompanied by Mr. 
Robert Haldane. 

Mr. Hill's journey homewards took up nearly three weeks ; 
he passed through Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnwick, Newcastle, 
Durham, Darlington, Leeds, Rotheram, Sheffield, where a 
singular event occurred worth recording. Just as the service 
was about to conclude, a man with a drawn sword attempted to 
force his way through the congregation to the place where 
Mr. Hill was standing : " Avhile he brandished his sword with 
great vehemence, and struggled hard to reach me," says Mr. 
Hill, " the people arrested him, thrcAv him down, and disarmed 
him. Through the kind providence of God no one was hurt, 
nor was the tranquillity of the meeting so much disturbed as 
might have been expected from such an extraordinary event. 
Upon the seizure of this unhappy man he appeared to be 
entirely insane." This happened on the Lord's day evening, 
Sept. 17th, when the service was in the open air, and the 
audience consisted of ten thousand people. 

On Monday Mr. Hill proceeded on his journey through 
Derby, Coventry, Warwick, Evesham, and Painswick in 
Gloucestershire, preaching at all the places mentioned, and 
reached Wotten-Underedge on Saturday, September 22d, 
where he found all well, and in comfortable circumstances. 



56 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



which drew from him this pious ejaculation: "Indulgent God, 
thy name be praised !" Thus, says he, " I have now finished 
a nine weeks Gospel tour of full 1200 miles ; have preached in 
much weakness to many thousands ; and have been more or 
less engaged on different calls near eighty times, with no other 
calamity than a little indisposition for a few days; and the 
temporary lameness of the same horse which conveyed me 
through all my journey, excepting the short respite which he 
'^equired till he could overtake me on the road. Without, also, 
the least personal insult from any quarter, excepting a small 
share of a distant hiss of false aspersion, and, I trust, unjust 
reflection. For them I only quote that fine expression in our 
Church Liturgy, ' Pardon our persecutors and slanderers, and 
turn their hearts.' " 

Soon after Mr, Hill had arrived at home, he complied with 
the earnest solicitations of Mr. Robert Haldane to print his 
Journal f)r public inspection, together with such strictures 
and remarks as had occurred during his stay in Scotland. 
This he soon did, and sent it into the north to be there printed ; 
but upon more mature consideratior. it appeared, to both Mr. Hill 
and his friends, advisable to give further scope to discussion, 
ani to print in London. The MS. was therefore returned to 
the author, who now added to it an Appendix, nearly twice 
the size of the Journal itself: and the whole was published in 
1799, under the following title : 

Journal of a Tour through the North of England and 
Parts of Scotland : with remarks on the present state of the 
Established Church of Scotland, and the different secessions 
therefrom. Together with Reflections on some party distinc- 
tions in England ; shewing the origin of these disputes, and 
the causes of their separation. Designed to promote Brotherly 
Love and Forbearance among Christians of all denominations : 
also some Remarks on the propriety of what is called Lay and 
Itinerant Preaching. By Rowland Hill, A. M." 

This enormous title wall convey to the reader a general 
notion of the multifarious contents of this bulky pamphlet; 



RET. ROWLAND HILL. 



57 



but. liaviiio' communicated, in the preceeding pages, tli? sub- 
stance oAbe Journal, we shall take a cursory review (>r the 
different parts of the Appendix, in which there are some things 
instructive and valuable, others amusing and laughable, and a 
few that might have been conveniently omitted. 

To the Journal is prefixed a Letter to Robert Haldane, Esq. 
in which, after reminding him that it was by his invitation he 
ventured on his late visit to Scotland, and had at his request 
printed his Journal, he thus proceeds : 

" Having previously entertained a high opinion of the state 
of religion and religious knowledge in the North, you know, 
by my correspondence with you and your brother, with what 
caution I was persuaded to undertake the journey : I always 
conceived, that though error and formality had made their in- 
roads into Scotland, yet that the Gospel interest was attended 
with a superior glory in opposition to all the attempts of the 
mere heathen moralist, or others, the more avowed enemies of 
the Gospel. On my arrival in Edinburgh, 1 was grieved to find 
the cause of religion so much below the standard I had con- 
ceived. I observed, with regret, that good men, fettered by 
the trammels of education, or by the laws of their different 
churches, by no means exerted themselves as the sacred cause 
most assuredly demanded. As matters thus opened to my 
view, I was the less embarrassed, and the path of duty appeared 
much more plain before me. My prayer was answered— 
< Teach me the way in which I should go, for I lift up my soul 
unto thee.' As I trust, I heard the voice of a gracious Provi- 
dence distinctly say, 'This is the way, walk ye in it.' " 

After the Journal, and as a Preface to the Appendix, we 
have a Letter from Mr. Hill to James Haldane, Esq. which is 
too singular in its complexion to escape notice. It is so hap- 
pily characteristic of the writer, that I shall give it entire. 

" TO JAMES HALDANE, ESQ. 

My dear Sir: or rather, my much respected Brother and 

Fellow-labourer, in the Gospel of God our Saviour. 
"Directed by my high esteem for your Brother,! ventured 



5S 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



on the publication of my J ournal : from my respect to vour 
ministerial labours, I am now happy to address these remarks on 
my visit to Scotland, to your more immediate attention, I am 
now an old stager in the itinerant work, and I bless God for 
the line in which I have been called ; being assured I have 
followed the will of God therein, as I am satisfied the salva- 
tion of many souls has been promoted thereby. 

" In preaching through England, Scotland, Ireland, and 
Wales, I always conceived / stuck close to my parish. We 
are to ' preach the Gospel to every creature, even to the end 
of the world.' Go on, my dear Sir, be the maul of bigotry, 
and of every sectarian spirit among all denominations ; declare 
vengeance against the unscriptural innovations of narrow- 
minded bigots, who, finding the word of God uncompliant to 
designs like theirs, have combined together to support their 
dogmas according to certain rules of their own creating ; and 
all these, as contrary to the sacred designs of God, that all 
Christians should be brethren, and love as such ; as the designs 
of Christianity can be to those of Mahomet, the Pope, or the 
Devil. 

" In the name of God, my beloved Brother, with the sword of 
the Spirit in your hand, and the life of God in your heart, 
pursue those hideous monsters even unto death. But you 
have given sufficient evidence how much you respect thfe 
Christian, wheresoever you find him, and however disfigured, 
not only by the wart, but even the wen of bigotry. I will not 
say that to a fraction, all my observations on this subject may 
correctly comport with yours ; though I flatter myself you and 
I are pretty near the mark if we differ, I am sure we cannot 
disagree. Our hearts, I am persuaded, are congenial, thounh 
our original calling was completely different. 

"You were educated for the maritime life, and from a situa- 
tion creditable and lucrative, commenced a peddling preacher, 
crying your wares from town to town, at a low rate indeed, 
'without money and without price;' and scattermg religious 
tracts as you travel from place to place— while it was niv k.t to 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



59 



be bred to the trade, and to serve a regular apprenticeship for 
the purpose ; but being spoiled in the manufacturing, I never 
received but forty shillings, a story too trivial to relate, by my 
occupation as a churchman. Affluence is a snare; a decent, 
independent competency, is a blessing — a blessing, indeed, if 
thereby we can preach Jesus freely, and prove to the poor of 
the flock, that we can sacrifice our own profit, if we can be 
profitable to them. Let it then be our glory to suffer shame 
and contempt for the sake of him who ' hid not his face from 
shame and spitting' for our redemption. 'Holding forth the 
word of life' amidst the 'dead in trespasses and sins,' 
meekly contented to suffer even ' the loss of all things,' 
should we meet with such a day of tribulation, provided we 
are but enabled to ' win Christ,' and are blessed ' with souls 
for our hire.' 

"With much sincerity of affection, I am, and ever hope to 
remam, your affectionate Brother and fellow-labourer in the 
gospel of our salvation 

" Rowland Hill." 
There appears to have subsisted a very warm and ardent 
affection, at this juncture, between Mr. Hill, and Messrs. 
Robert and James Haldane; it manifests itself in all their 
proceedings and in all their writings. But it was not destined 
to be permanent throughout their days. Seven years had not 
elapsed before both the Messrs. Haldane were led to perceive 
from the New Testament, that, in order to be members of 
Christ's visible kingdom, they must be baptized on a pro- 
fession of their faith in Christ, as the Son of God, the true 
Messiah, the only Saviour of guilty men. Thus they became 
Baptists, and Scotch Baptists too, and it is to be feared that 
from that moment Mr. Hill would place them in the class of 
" bigots" — men of a " sectarian spirit," against whom the 
Maul was to be lifted up ! But their becoming Baptists was 
not all. They learned from the New Testament, that all 
national establishments of Christianity were, in their nature 
and constituent principles, Anti- christian — that Mr. Hill's own 



MEMOIRS OF THE 

favourite Church of England was only one of the unchaste 
daughters of the Mother of harlots, and as such the object of 
the vials of the wrath of heaven, Rev. xvi., and viewing it in 
this light, how could they pray for its prosperity, or approve 
of Mr. Hill's connection with it — a thing in which he himself 
gloried ? In fine, they learned a lesson from the New Tes- 
tament, which Mr. Hill never could be taught, but against 
which his zeal flamed forth on all occasions with lamentable 
bitterness; and that was, "that all Christians are bound to 
observe the universal and approve 1 practices of the primitive 
apostolic churches recorded in Scrip ure Now, this prin- 
ciple was clenching the nail to the head ; and when Mr. James 
Haldane published his book on the " Social Worship of the 
Apostolic Churches," contending for Weekly Communion — 
the Prayers and Exhortations of the private brethren, as a 
part of their public worship — a Plurality of Elders in every 
church, in opposition to the one-man-system ; with various 
other things of divine institution among the first churches, but 
almost totally neglected by the moderns, it is easy to see that 
an end must be put to all brotherly intercourse between the 
parties. Extensive as was Mr. Hill's Catholicism, it had its 
limits — it never could stretch itself so far as to comprehend 
those whose consciences were bound to a dutiful observance of 
all that Christ had commanded, or his apostles instituted in 
his name. This was bigotry and sectarianism with a witness, 
and what he could not endure. Give him a religion which 
had nothing sectarip.n in it ; i. e, which left him at liberty to 
pick and choose what he should take and what he should 
leave, and that without detriment of Christian fellowship with 
all the Lord's people ! — overlooking the fact, that if we would 
be partakers of the blessings which Christianity holds forth to 
the guilty perishing children of men, we must take it as a 
ivhole^ not only believing all the doctrines which Christ and 
his apostles taught, but acknowledging no other lawgiver than 



* See Haldane's View of Social Worship, p. 36. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



61 



HiMj and resisting whatever is of human institution in am 
kingdom. Every departure from the rule prescribed by the 
inspired apostles, and exemplified in the churches planted 
under their direction, must be laid to the account of the Man 
of sin, the Son of perdition, even though it were sanctioned 
by the authority of a Hill or a Jay ! I now return to Mr. Hill's 
appendix. 

He introduces his observations and remarks with a short 
review of the Ecclesiastical History of Scotland, which cer- 
tainly is not devoid of interest. The subject is taken up from 
the time of the Reformation; he notices the contest between 
Episcopacy and Presbyterianism, each of which alternately 
borrowed the civil sword to "fight it out," while real Chris- 
tianity was bleeding under the wretched dispute. Mr. Hill 
next proceeds to give his readers an outline of the Presby- 
terian form of Church government, from which I shall extract 
an interesting paragraph. 

" In Scotland there are eight hundred and ninety parishes. 
These parishes are divided into districts or bounds, and each 
has its elder ; and over these the minister presides as Mode- 
rator, but without a negative. These are directed to meet 
once a week, to consider the affairs of the parish. This is 
their lowest church court. Appeals lie from hence to the next 
court above this, viz. the Presbytery, of which there are sixty - 
nine, each consisting of different contiguous parishes. Each 
minister, with one elder, out of each Kirk Session, compose a 
Presbytery. These meet in some central station, and choose 
a Moderator. Above this is the third Church Court, the Pro- 
vincial Synod. These receive appeals from the Presbyteries, 
and can control their acts ; their body consists of the several 
Presbyteries of the province, and meet twice a year in some 
central place. We have still another step to cHmb before we 
reach the summit of power belonging to the established church 
of Scotland, and this court is called 'The General As- 
sembly,' intended no doubt to collect t/ie cream of the whole. 
This court consists of Commissioners from the Presbyteries, 



62 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



UoyaX Burghs, and Universities, llie Presbyteries send 
representatives, ministers, and ruling elders, according to 
their number. Each Royal Burgh sends one ruling elder, 
Edinburgh sends two, and every University has its representing 
Commissioner, and all these subscribe the Confession of 
Faith, as though they believed it! and over these presides a 
Royal Commissioner, claiming a right to convene and dissolve 
the Assembly, which right is at the same time claimed by the 
Assembly itself, by the voice of their Moderator; so that this 
Assembly, to save the credit of both claimants, has a double 
dissolution, and, by all accounts, no matter if its dissolution 
was eternal/ for such a motley mixture of representatives of 
ministers and elders, many of whom are lawyers and even 
officers of the crown, from Presbyteries, Royal Burghs, and 
Universities, prove, it seems, a strange group when collected 
together as a body. I speak not of individuals. I do not 
hear that there is any charge against them, that they are 
' righteous- over-much nor are they, it is to be feared, very 
near akin to the ' General Assembly and Church of the first- 
born.' I should suppose that as their method of managing 
the Church of Christ would be much like themselves, the 
seceders may have sufficient grounds to provide a better and 
purer government among themselves." 

After some strictures on Mother Church, Mr. Hill proceeds 
to take a view of the different classes of dissenters from the 
Scottish Establishment, and the first of these that attracts his 
notice is the Cameronians. with their solemn leaofue and 
covenant. With this sect and their persecuting principles, he 
makes himself not a little merry, and particularly with their 
great gun against Episcopacy ! Under this head comes in the 
well-known anecdote of the toadery at Wotton-under-Edge, 
which has been echoed from John-a-Groat's house to the 
Land's-end in Cornwall, and produced many a laugh! 

Next comes the Burghers and Anti-burghers, constituting 
the "Associate Synod Presbytery,'- whose vindication was 
pleaded by the learned Dr. Jamieson, as will presently appear. 



KEV, ROWLAND HILL. (j3 

Then follows the -Kirk of Relief," which originated in the 
deposition of Mr. Thomas Gillespie, who vehemently opposed 
the law of patronage. And on a review of the whole Mr. Hill 
is led thus to apostrophise, How very strongly do the cor- 
rupted passions of men mix themselves with the sacred cause 
of God ! and how very apt are we to think we are doing God 
service, while fleshly contentions for a mere party blind our 
eyes, and forbid us to remember that 'the kingdom of God 
IS not meats and drinks, but righteousness, peac°e, and joy in 
the Holy Spirit,' I fairly acknowledge I am no enemy to 
establishments, under certain limitations, which limitations I 
acknowledge, are very rarely observed. Should any supreme 
magistrate, in some heathen land, become Christian, suppose 
under the influence of the present Missionary exertions, is he 
not at liberty, nay, is it not his duty, to promote the Gospel 
to the utmost of his power ?" Such is Mr. Hill's apology for 
establishments of Christianity; but to this we answer, that all 
the assistance which the Gospel asks from the civil magis- 
trate is, to let it alone-all it needs is simple toleration If 
he put forth a finger to aid it by human laws he corrupts it. 
'Tis as the dead fly in the apothecaries' ointment ' 

But, rejoins Mr. Hill, "the chief magistrate or magistracy 
ot the land may have some forms or modes respecting Chris- 
tianity, which thei/ may thinh preferable to others. Shall not 
liberty be granted to such a magistrate to take that body of Chris- 
tians under his more immediate cognizance and support, who 
voluntarily subject themselves to such rules, provided he pre- 
sumes not to compel others to submit to it, or to support it 

Now the answer to this is very easy. All national estab- 
hshments of Christianity are necessarily exclusive. The 
moment any civil magistrate takes a particular "body of 
Christians under his more immediate cognizance and sup- 
port," he puts forth the unhallowed hand to preserve the ark- 
and the very circumstance of Christianity receiving cognizance' 
and support from the civil magistrate must tend to corrupt and 
secularize it. Is it possible Mr. HiU could be ignorant of the 



64 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



fact that Christianity maintained its purity no longer tnau 
while it was proscribed by the ruling powers, and that fi'om 
the moment it was taken under " the cognizance and support 
of the civil magistrate," corruption rushed into the church 
like an impetuous torrent, and Antichrist mounted his throne, 
changing times and laws, and desecrating the temple of God? 

But Mr. Hill is extremely inconsistent with himself in what 
he has written on this subject. At one time, he would have 
us to believe that the establishment of Christianity by penal laws 
is of divine appointment ; for, what else can he mean by the 
following sentence? "Such is the sad corruption of human 
nature, that I should be greatly alarmed were Government to 
cease to patronize and promote the cause of Christianity, now 
that miracles designed for her primitive support have ceased: 
the very name of it in some places would be entirely oblite- 
rated. If, therefore, it were the design of Providence that, in 
a future day the civil magistrate was to lend his protecting 
and supporting hand to the Christian cause — we should be 
cautious not to speak lightly against what God himself has 
condescended to ordain for good.'''' This, to be s ire, is putting 
the matter hypothetically. If it were the design of Provi- 
dence, &c." But against this we place the good Confession of 
Christ before the Roman Governor, " My kingdom is not of 
this world." — And again, "Put up thy sword," — Maxims, of 
which by the bye, Mr. Flill never condescends to take the least 
notice ! On the contrary, in opposition to them, he boldly 
declares, " the rulers of the earth may and ought to support 
and protect Christianity," p. 106. Now it is demonstrable 
that the rulers of the earth, as such, can only do this by the 
power of the sword — by penal laws, or persecuting edicts, 
which the King of Zion has forbidden to be used in his cause. 
What then becomes of Mr. Hill's reasoning in favour of 
establishments ? But let us hear him further, lor he certainly 
is very amusing on the subject. 

" It is readily admitted," says he, " that national churches, 
from a native tendency toward abuse, are never likely to 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



65 



prove the most spiritual in any land ! Without, therefore, an 
unlimited protection of every dissentient who can prove that 
there is nothing in his religion inimical to the civil Govern- 
ment, they will become injurious ; for then persecution natu- 
rally commences, and nothing can be so contrary to the mind 
of Christ as the spirit of persecution. On these principles 
alone, I declare myself no enemy to the Established Episcopal 
Church of England, or the Presbyterian Establishment in 
Scotland ; while I deeply lament over each, that hy their con- 
nexions with the civil power [that is, by their being what they 
are, viz. Established Churches!] they have lost so much of 
their original purity and design. Even the Primitive Church of 
Rome would never have become the Whore of Babylon, had 
not the favours of the world, and the embraces of Constantino 
deprived her of that chastity which was her original glory," 
p, 106-110. The plain import of all this is, that the corrup- 
tions of Christianity are mainly owing to its alliance with the 
State, or its being established by Acts of Parliament ; which, 
nevertheless, " God himself has condescended to ordain for 
good !" In this manner Mr. Hill answers himself* and in so 
doing reminds one of the remark of the profound Pascal, 

How happy it is to have to do with people that will talk pro 
and con ! By this means you furnish me with all I wanted ; 
which was to make you confute yourselves." 

But to do Mr. Hill justice, we must acknowledge that he is 
not less instructive than he is amusing. He is a firm friend to 
toleration, on which account he hates Popery with a perfect 
hatred ; and terms it the " incurable abomination''* — strangely 
overlooking the fact that his own Church of England is estab- 
lished upon the very same intolerant principles as the Churcn 
of Rome. "Who would believe," says he, "that Popery and 
Presbyterianism among Seceders are so near akin ? Tneir 
engagements to extirpate^ suppress^ and overcome^ souna so 
very like the decretals of Pope Innocent the Third, on the 
other side of the question, that one would almost think his 
Holiness, by an invisible agency, had a hand in framing the 



66 MEMOIRS OF THE 

Covenant." Bat is not episcopacy, in its constituent prin- 
ciples, as intolerant as either Popery or Presbyterianism ? Does 
not the Church of England lay claim to the power of decree- 
ing rites and ceremonies, and settling controven^sies in matters 
of faith ? Let us hear one of her own sons on this subject : 
thus he writes, "Our Liturgy was first established by the 
Convocation, or provincial Synods of the Realm, and thereby 
became obligatory, m foro conscienticB ^ and was then con- 
firmed and ratified by the supreme magistrate in parliament, 
and so also became obligatory in foro civili. It has there- 
fore all authority, both ecclesiastical and civil [he should have 
added, that of God alone excepted!] As it is established by 
ecclesiastical authority, those who separate themselves, and set 
up another form of worship, are schismatics^ and consequently 
are guilty of a damnable sin [let the dissenters mark that !] 
which no toleration granted by the civil magistrate, can autho- 
rize or justify. But, as it is settled by Act of Parliament, 
the separating from it is only an oiFence against the State, and, 
as such, may be pardoned by the State. The Act of Tolera- 
tion, therefore, as it is called, has freed the Dissenters from 
being offenders against the State, notwithstanding their separa- 
tion from the worship prescribed by the Liturgy; but it by no 
means excuses, or can excuse them from the schism they have 
made in the Church ; they are still guilty of that sin, and will 
be so as long as they separate, notwithstanding any temporal 
authority to indemnify them*." Here then is the cloven foot 
fairly exposed ! the Act of Toleration which secures to dissen- 
ters liberty of conscience, has interposed betwixt them and the 
Clergy, and wrested out of the hands of the latter the power 
of persecuting, to the sore annoyance of many of them who 
*'gnaw their tongues with pain." The State tolerates, tiit? 
Church does not ! Where then is Mr. Hill's ground of boast- 
ing, and why has he withheld Episcopacy from the station it 
should retain in connection with Papacy and Presbyterianism ? 



* Whentiev's Illustratioii tlif Book of Common Prayer. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



67 



But he has a salvo in reserve—" When 1 speak of Episcopacy,' 
Si) vs he, " I beg at all times to be understood as pleading for 
such a reduced Episcopacy, as was recommended by those 
learned and pious Episcopalians, the Arclibishops Usher and 
Leighton, which they conceived was the Episcopacy of the 
primitive church. Bishops then claimed no other power than 
what was delegated to them, by the elective voice of the pres- 
byters and people at large. In the purer days of the Church 
this election naturally fell on the most spiritual and wise of 
their body. Around him they voluntarily collected as toward 
a centre : they gave an affectionate submission to him as a 
father, and their government was thereby both strenglhened 
and simplified. A mere shade of such an Episcopacy still re- 
mains in the English Church, for upon the death of a bishop, 
the king gives his conge d' elire, or leave to elect, to the pres- 
byters of the Cathedral Church, at the same time recommend- 
ing a person for their chair; which reconwiendaiion they no 
more dare refuse than they dare to eat a red hot salamander. 
I beg that it may be furdier noticed, that my silence re- 
specting many allowed defects in the Church of England 
neither arises from partiality nor approbation. Her connexion 
with the State I sincerely regret, as it is impossible she can he 
othenvise than corrtipied thereby. Her doctrines are pure; 
her Hturgy with a little further reform, I conceive to be excel- 
lent; and according to the present state of things, one of the 
greatest national blessings we can enjoy, especially as no 
establishment upon earth directs her ministers to read in the 
public service so much from the pure word of God; but her 
discipline is most grievously defective. As to her Church 
Courts, spiritual courts, falsely so called, it is enough to say 
they were of Roman birth. I am, however, no ecclesiastical 
politician, therefore further than this the deponent sayeth not " 
p. 108. 

Nor, in truth, was it necessary to add another woi d in order 
to shew to the world, that to be consistent, Rowland Hill 
ought to have been a Dissenter ! As an apology for his con- 

F 2 



68 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



formity, nothing ean be more lame and impotent than what he has 
here said. He is an advocate for Episcopacy — ^but it is an 
episcopacy sui generis — such as never did exist in the form of an 
Established Church, of which the king or queen for the time be- 
ing is the head, and consequently makes bishops at his or her plea- 
sure. The Episcopal Church must have no connexion with the 
State ! Why this is what every dissenter in the land, who under - 
stands his religious profession, and the true grounds and reasons 
of dissent, contends for. But, " the doctrines of the Church of 
England are pure." Are they Calvinistic or Arminian ? Mr. 
Hill insists they are the former — but nine-tenths of his fellow 
labourers in the vineyard contend they are the latter; and 
consequently, from the days of Archbishop Laud to this pre- 
sent time, Arminianism has been preached, with few excep- 
tions, from all the pulpits of the Church of England. Of what 
avail then are the thirty -nine articles, seeing that, on his own 
shewing, their true meaning and import are almost universally 
perverted ? And as to the Liturgy, its excellence is mere 
matter of opinion — a point on which Doctors differ! The 
writer of these pages was certainly trained up in a religious 
veneration for it ; and what little of classical learning he got, 
was bestowed upon him with the view of making him a Clergy- 
man of the Church of England; but when it pleased God to 
reveal his Son to him, and give him to distinguish, in some 
happy measure, between that fabric of human wisdom, the 
Church of England, and the glories of Messiah's kingdom, as 
an economy of Grace, spiritual and heavenly, consequently 
"wo^ of this world^'' he was led to view things in a very dif- 
ferent light, and he broke off all connexion with the Episcopal 
Church of England, nor has he ever been the subject of a 
momentary wish to resume it. No honours, or emoluments 
connected with it, not even the prospect of a bishoprick, or 
yet an archbishoprick could ever tempt him for one hour to 
resume that connexion, though it has often fallen to his lot to 
know by painful experience, what is intended by the " res 
angv^tcB domi^ " of the Roman poet. 



RBV. ROWLAND HILL. 



69 



When Mr. Hiil comes todeal with the Scotch independents, 
Baptists, and Psedobaptists, he dismisses the subject in averj 
fumraary manner, though in a way not very creditable to his 
own understanding. The sum of what he has to say is, that, 
however strongly they may protest against persecuting for 
conscience' sake, he would not venture to pass his word for 
them more than for others, that had they possessed the power, 
they, too, would not have persecuted (p. 128.) Now, in this 
I must take the liberty to say, that with all his \ aunting 
about Catholicism and liberality of sentiment, he has shewn 
himself less liberal than that noted infidel, Davii Hume. The 
latter when speaking of the Independents of the seventeenth 
century, frankly acknowledges, that " of all Christian sects, 
this was the first which, during its prosperity, as well as 
adversity, always adopted the principl of toleration." * In 
saying this, Mr. Hume did them no more than justice ; while 
by insinuating the doubts he has done concerning them, Mr. 
Mill has shewn that he did not understand the principles of 
their profession ; or that, if he did, he was no way disposed to 
do them common justice. He treats the Scotch Baptists with 
sovereig contem t, because they refuse to communicate at 
the Lord's table with unbaptized persons ; but, surely, this 
needs no apology. They regar 1 the ordinance of Faptism as 
the rite of initiation into Christ's visible kingdom; they find, 
on examining the New Testament, that in the days of the 
apo ties, baptism on a profession of the faith, was an essential 
pre-rcquisite to church- fellowship ; and they, therefore, con- 
sider that Christ himself has fixed the terms of communion, 
from which they are not at liberty to depart. They are far 
from denying that Christ may admit his own children to 
communion with himself in the invisible blessings of the 
Gosp 1. whom they could not admit to fellowship with them- 
selves in his visible kingdom ; and, for this cogent reason, 
oecause no such communion is exemplified in the New Testa- 



* Hume's History of England, ch. Ivii. anno 1644 



70 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



ment, which they are bound to regard as the rule of their 
proceeding in all the atFairs of his church or kingdom. It was 
very easy for Mr. Hill to dismiss this subject by " wonders 
never cease;" this was much easier than to find an argument 
by which to refute their principles. The late Mr. Robert 
Hal], of Bristol, has raised a wonderful dust upon this subject; 
but after all that he has written " about it and about it," the 
matter remains just where betook it up. If the churches of the 
present day are under any obligation to copy the example of 
the primitive apostolic churches in their social intercourse, 
which those of the baptist persuasion all acknowledge, more 
or less, then it must unavoidably follow that the admission of 
unbaptized persons to the Lord's table is an unauthorized 
practice, and demonstrably wrong. 

But the vituperation which Mr. Hill so liberally bestows 
upon the dissenters at home and abroad, on account of what 
he terms their " bigotry" and " narrow-mindedness," is not 
worse than what he deals out to his own church. He takes 
credit to himself ; nay, he blesses God that he has transgressed 
tlie canons of the English church a thousand times ; " they were 
the mere bidfy of the high priests of the day !" p. 162, note. 
Surely, after this, the dissenters can have no just cause of 
quarrel with him because he chooses to lash them for their 
steady adherence to what they believe to be the instituted 
order of the house of God. Had he had to construct a church 
of his own devising, we should have witnessed a curiosity 
indeed ! The church of England is fundamentally wrong in a 
thousand instances, and the dissenters are rarely right. Such 
is his eccentricity, that nothing must be restricted to rule and 
government. Hence his long tirade against the office of 
deacon, pp. 142—147, note : and also that of elder, pp. 153, 
155 ; both of which are no better than a string of sophisms. 
The universities and dissenting academies meet their just 
castigation. Let us hear him on this subject. 

" Two evils are the natural result of thus making up men 
for the ministry. Many may be educated to a belief of the 



RRV, ROWLAND HILL. 



71 



doctrines of grace, without being converted to God by the 
grace of those doctrines. They undergo a sort of pseudo 
spiritual manufactory. They are taught to make prayers and 
sermons according to what is called an orthodox plan, while 
the spirit and temper of the man renders him a dead weight 
upon the cause. From a want of spirituality in himself, he 
overlooks the same want in others. Hence the complaint, 
which too generally, and I fear too justly prevails, of con- 
formity to the world, among professors of religion. They can 
attend the assembly, the card-table, and even that complete 
synagogue of Satan, the play-house itself, as all being con- 
sistent with tJieir sort of saintship. They have discovered an 
easy way of reading these texts of scripture, ' Be not con- 
formed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing 
of your minds.' ' Love not the world, nor the things that 
are in the world.' And, again, ' Come out from among 
them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing, and 
I will receive you ;' and many other passages that might be 
quoted. Thus the truths of God are disgraced by the lax 
conduct of professors, and the doctrines of the Gospel are 
thereby brought into disrepute," p. 160, &c. Who can 
help regretting that such important truths as these should 
be mixed up with silly anecdotes about " pig-tails and 
periwigs ?" 

They have, in Scotland, what are called episcopal chapels ; 
that is chapels upon the model of the church of England. 
Their cono-re^ations, Mr. Hill tell us, are no where very 

CO ^ 

numerous, but this is made up to them in being mostly very 
polite; and he gives us the following sample of what prevails 
among them. " The general pre-requisite is, that the minister 
should be a good reader; that he should not squall out the 
English liturgy similarly to the tivang of a Scots precentor, 
with their doggrel version of the psalms of David; and so far 
so good. Next, that he should be a pohte and easy gentle- 
man ; or, to sum it up in the language of that popular book, 
« The New Whole Duty of Man,' that be should produce 



72 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



nothing either in his conduct, or from the pulpit, but what is 
made easy to the practice of the present age^ 

Mr. Hill enters his protest with more than ordinary 
earnestness against the method of conducting their psalmody 
in Scotland. Referring to the version of the psalms of David, 
in common use throughout their churches and chapels, he 
asks, "Is it metre?— is it poetry ?— is it English?" He 
might have advanced a step farther, and asked, " Is it always 
common sense?" These are questions that I have myseli 
often asked; and never have I ceased to wonder at the strange 
prejudices that exist among the Scotch baptists in favour ot 
that doggrel version. It is pleaded that the psalms of David, 
being the language of inspiration, are the only proper vehicle 
of our devotions in praise. But, as Mr. Hill pertinently asks, 
*' Why Old Testament language while we praise, and nothing 
but the purest New Testament language while we pray?" 
Are they not both equally to be regarded as solemn acts of 
our devotional worship before God ? Why then should not 
the same rule hold for both? And why should we have 
recourse to such distorted language when we sing, and yet 
attempt a style so different when we preach and pray?" 
Besides, there is another question which I have sometimes 
proposed to the sticklers for this version, to which I never 
could get an answer; and it is this:—" If this version ol 
the book of psalms be what its advocates would persuade us 
to believe it to be, why are not the whole of the psalms made 
use of at alternate seasons, which is so notoriously not the case, 
that in the course of nearly half a century, during which I have 
been connected with churches that used it, I do not remember 
to have seen more than about half a dozen of the whole one hun- 
dred and fifty psalms, of which the book consists, even partially 
made use of?" The first, the nineteenth, the hundredth, and 
about six stanzas, selected from the hundred and nineteenth, 
comprise nearly the sum total of these choice pieces which are 
thought worthy of being sung ! 

As to their melody, Mr. Hill says " sounds are of much 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



less consequence than sense. I therefore say less against what 
they call singing, though in general, it is not singing, nor 
even yet " making a joyful noise unto the Lord;" for it is in 
creneral a doleful noise indeed. Now, if singing be the 
command of God, why should it not be well performed? 
Some, indeed, have supposed that snuffling, bellowing, and 
groaning, have added to their devotion in prayer, and from a 
parity of reasoning, may have concluded also in favour of this 
most barbarous way of singing; but while others have ears, 
and any taste or judgment for musical sounds, such sort of 
psalmody, instead of adding to their devotion, cannot but 
excite their extreme disgust," p. 175. He very properly adds, 
that on all sides extremes should be equally avoided. Con- 
certos and oratorios are never fit for public worshipping 
assemblies. Singing may be strong and good, yet simple, 
plain, and neat ; so that all may join. Charms of these sorts 
are from God himself; they soften and soothe the mind, pro- 
ducing a most happy preparatory frame for future good. On 
the position proper for this act of worship, he says, " Perhaps, 
I lament what may be supposed of less consequence still ; I 
mean the posture Jf singing. Now, this act of divine worship 
is an immediate address to Deity himself, the posture is ever 
mentioned as that of standing; nay, angels are described as 
lying prostrate in praise. Sitting is a slovenly lazy posture 
for an act of such high devotion." 

I shall now take leave of this interesting Appendix, with a 
fevv lines which occur on Lay Preaching: " I do think that 
the words Clergy and Laity, as they are generally understood, 
are more nearly allied to the tricks of Rome than most people 
are aware of, and if the people who love their Bibles read 
the New Testament, without the pre-supposed distinctions of 
sects and parties, they would discover uncommon simplicity in 
the first ages of Christianity." A very just observation, and 
well meriting attention. The reader may find the subject 
liandled in my Lectures on Ecclesiastical History, Vol. L 
p. 37G, 7iote. 



74 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



It was not to be expected that Mr. Hill's preaching as he 
did to such immense multitudes, during the two months he 
passed in Scotland in 1798, followed as it was by the publica- 
tion of his Journal, and the free strictures passed on all classes 
of religionists by means of his Appendix, should produce no 
impression on the public mind. These things occasioned no 
small stir, and embroiled him in a controversy, of which it will 
now be proper to take some notice. 

The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland holds its 
annual sittings in May ; and the liberty which Mr. Hill had 
taken with its fair fame, and the wounds he had inflicted on 
that illustrious body, called into exercise their deliberative 
wisdom. To check the plague which had gone forth and now 
threatened consequences of the most direful cast, they issued 
three official papers — the first was styled " The Declaratory 
Act," which threatened a war of persecution — the second 
was, what they termed " The Pastoral Admonition," warning 
all the members of the Church of Scotland against the danger 
of 'promiscuous hearing and lay preacJiing — and the third was 
a solemn act of excommunication passed on two of their 
ministers, viz. Mr. Greville Ewing and Mr. William Innes. 

Mr. Hill took a second journey to Scotland the following 
year, and on his arrival in Edinburgh, in the month of June, 
1799, was presented with these important documents, the 
product of the General Assembly held in the preceding 
month. During the four weeks he spent in the country, 
visiting some part of the Highlands, and itinerating from 
place to place, he droAV up some remarks on these curious 
papers, and published them in a pamphlet entitled " A Series 
of Letters, occasioned by the late Pastoral Admonition of the 
Church of Scotland, as also their attempts to suppress the 
establishment of Sabbath Schools, addressed to the Society 
for propagating the Gospel at Home." By Rowland Hill, 
A.M. pp. 45, octavo. These letters are eight in number, and 
are dated from Edinburgh, Dundee, Montrose, Aberdeen, 
Hnntly, Glasgow, &c. &c.. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



75 



In these letters, Mr. Hill faii-ly throws down the gauntlet, 
and challenges the General Assembly to take it up. He tells 
them, in the apostle's words, " they could not prove the things 
whereof they accused him;" and quotes the decalogue, 
" Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour 
In his first letter, referring to the Society for propagating the 
Gospel at home — an institution formed under the auspices of 
the two Messrs. Haldane, iiikman, Eu ing, Lines, and other 
excellent men, Mr. Hill asks. By what authority could the 
General Assembly, or any other body of people, whatever 
high powers they may claim, presume virtually to criminate 
any religious society, however mean and contemptible in their 
esteem, and cruelly to charge them with the high and odious 
crimes of sedition and treason, without the shadow of proof to 
substantiate such a charge ? By what authority had they a 
right to command and direct all their clergy throughout Scot- 
land, who are under the iron hand of their jurisdiction, to be 
the vehicles of their wanton and cruel invectives, by reading, 
and notoriously against the judgments and consciences of 
many of them, even in the house of God itself, and in the 
hours of sacred worship, a paper replete with charges the 
most virulent and unjust ? He thus closes his letter — 

" Satisfied, therefore, of our right to claim the protection 
of the civil power from the dangerous censures of our ecclesi- 
astical accusers, we could not be blamed were Ave to seek 
redi-ess for our insulted characters, dedicated to the service of 
the Gospel, from the laws of the land. But we wish no such 
methods of revenge, though, were we now silent, we should 
criminate ourselves. Our cause is the cause of God and 
truth; and while we can make it appear that 'in simplicity 
and godly sincerity, and not with fleshly wisdom, we have had 
our conversation in the world;' and while we are satisfied that 
It IS falsely ' all manner of evil is spoken against us for 
Christ's sake, we will rejoice and be exceeding glad.' " 



* 3,fotto in tJie title-page. 



76 MEMOIRS OF THfl 

It must be admitted that Mr. Hill treats both the « Decla- 
ratory Act," and the "Pastoral Admonition^' of tnis august 
body with very little ceremony. The whole of this "Series 
of Letters" is interesting and instructive, abounding with 
just and striking sentiments, such as one is surprised to meet 
with from the pen of a clergyman of the church of England. 
He attacks the "patent" which these monopolists of church 
dignities and preferments have obtained for manufacturing 
proper subjects for the ministry. For instance, it was one of 
the complaints of the "Pastoral Admonition" that "the 
men who assume the character of missionaries declare, that 
every man has a right to preach the Gospel, and are now 
traversing the whole country, without any sort of authority ; 
without giving any pubHc pledge of the soundness of their 
faith, or the correctness of their morals, and without the 
advantages of regular education, and of preparatory know- 
ledge." 

To this Mr. Hill answers that " every man has a right to 
preach the Gospel: that the Gospel ministry is open to all 
who have grace, gifts, and ab>lity for the work. He never- 
theless admits that none go forth from the society to preach, 
nor are any admitted into the Sunday schools as catechists, 
until they are thoroughly examined, and are well known to be 
competent to explain the Scriptures to their poor neighbours ; 
and he calls upon the magistrates "to see for themselves 
whether the catechists be not men correct in their morals, 
sound in their faith, loyal to the government, and quite of suffi- 
cient ability to fulfil the humble sphere of erudition entrusted 
to them. This, says he, will bring the matter to an issue, whether 
theAssembly,in so liberally accusing us on this score also, have 
not proved that they Jcnow not ivhai they say, nor whereof they 
affirm. When people, however, have a deal of dirt to throw, 
it is always expected that some will stick. But the grand 
core hid under all these mighty complaints is, evidently, lest 
the propriety of the present monopoly for public teaching 
should be superseded. Rome msely locked up the Bible in thy 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



77 



Vatican: Protestants may read it, but the explanation of it is 
to be referred to their spiritual guides. Now, we ask the 
plain question, whether some of their hearers may not be as 
clear-headed, and have as much grace in their hearts, as many 
of their ministers 1 If so, as Providence calls them, by what 
part of Scripture are they forbidden to communicate such 
knowledge to such as choose to receive it ?" He then goes 
on to notice how matters stood in the days of Christ and his 
apostles, when the disciples, persecuted at Jerusalem, " tra- 
versed the country, up and down, leaving the religion in 
which they were bred up^^ as the Assembly elegantly express 
themselves ! " All then instructed," says Mr. Hill, " who 
had ability; and this might be done without destroying the 
standing order of the ministry. But to do this now would be 
encroaching upon the priestly policy of the times. The 
people then were all heathen ; but now, since Christianity has 
been established by lau\ and we have established churches^ we 
are all Christians : Acts of Parliament have made us such ! 
If fabricated into Christianity alone by such a power, we 
wonder not we find a nation of government Christians, as far 
from real Christianity as the north is from the south. Is it to 
be supposed, therefore, that a mere Act of Parliament can 
decree that people shall be Christians, properly so called ? 
As well might the legislature attempt to cure fevers and con- 
sumptions, as to establish real Christianity, and to heal the 
diseases of the mind by a law. However, therefore, we should 
be thankful when the law runs in favour of the Christian dis- 
pensation, yet Christianity itself will want something further 
than a civil power to bring it into existence. Are we to 
wonder, therefore, if we discover hordes of these political 
Christians and their political ministers with them by thousands 
in every country, not a whit better, even in common morality, 
than heathens themselves ?" 

Besides, " what avails that ministers should teach others , 
if these afterwards may not communicate their knowledge in 
return 1 From the cobbler to the philosopher, is not this ad- 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



mitted ? Yet in the affairs of religion it is supposed to be tbe 
highest infringement upon the sacred office. The objection is, 
if this liberty be granted, every ignorant pretender will pre- 
sume to be a preacher, and error and enthusiasm will univer- 
sally abound. Look then at those who are regularly hred to 
the irade^ and ask if we are better furnished through this 
monopoly. If monopolies be injurious in other branches, why 
less so in this ? Now, I have really found so much good 
sense among officers of the army and navy, tradesmen, manu- 
facturers, and others who have made the Avord of God the sub- 
ject matter of their serious study and meditation, that I have 
been delighted to hear them, according to their natural abihty, 
discourse from the word of God, while the dry, artificial 
' manufacturer of a text' has frequently left me hungry and 
unfed; and I seriously believe we do a great injury to the 
Church of Christ by admitting any into the boasted standing 
ministry, till by more private exertions, they prove their 
natural ability to the work. No one should be deemed fit to 
preach before many in a town, till he has just preached to a 
few in a village. Thus brought forward by degrees, he be- 
comes ' an able minister of the word of life.' Let people con- 
sider these simple thoughts and then revert to the ' Pastoral 
Admonition,' and see if they have not been throwing mere 
dust in the air in all their pompous declamations about them- 
selves and their church." 

" One would suppose, according to them, the church existed 
not but under their establishment. Another church claims the 
same exclusive character— the Church of Rome! Scotland 
has now followed \\Qxholy example, she now owns and commu- 
nicates with no church on earth. In her retired corner she 
sits as a queen ; she also chooses to keep no faith with heretics, 
and so dresses them as to make them pass for devils in the 
public eye. We still grant she shall pass for the church, ad- 
mitting at the same time, the meaning the New Testament 
gives of that word, when mere mobs of Jews and Gentdes 
were also called the church (>? kx^yiaU, Acts xix. 32, 39, 



REV. ROWLAND HILL, 



79 



40,) so that all tlie unhappy mohhish appearances which are 
exhibited in different chiirch-couris^ wherever they meet is still 
THE CHURCH. But she should remember also, that the church 
in a richer sense of the word, is a company of holy people, 
collected in the name of the Lord Jesus, though in an upper 
room, or a private house, or even in the open fields ; and the 
church still, though not established by law." 

" Now, how far the church established by law has a right to 
persecute the poor church which has not been indulged with 
civil power, must be left with her to decide, both as it respects 
her determination concerning heresiesj and how far these here- 
tics should be corrected. If the church of the General As- 
sembly will but first clear their hrains by reading Locke on 
the Human Understanding, and afterwards the same invaluable 
author on Toleration, perhaps they will be led into a little 
more moderation than as yet they enjoy. People who are red- 
hot with a persecuting spirit, are apt to lose their reason, and 
then they will be fanatics and enthusiasts of course. Besides, 
a little good reading of this sort under present circumstances, 
might be of considerable advantage, as moral philosophy has a 
wonderful tendency to calm the mind ; and strong fears, whe- 
ther real or imaginary, are known to be very prejudicial to the 
constitution. And strong indeed their fears must be, if they 
can apprehend general ruin both of Church and State to be so 
near at hand. Whether these fears, therefore, be the hoh- 
goblins of the imagination, or the justly dreaded evils of the 
day, ought to be considered. Surely she cannot suppose that 
a set of altogether ignorant vagrant teachers^ either among 
themselves, or from England, concerning whom it has been 
poliiety hinted, ' it is not known whence they be,' will ever be 
able to overset a body of clergy so correctly tutored, and so 
generally admired, and a church also so firmly established by 
law ; and especially as all the adherents of these ignorant 
vagrants are now completely cut off from making any of their 
sly inroads into the church by a late holy bull, styled 'The 
Declaratory Act.' " 



MEMOIRS OF THB 



In conclusion, Mr. Hill tells this reverend body, that the 
proceedings to which they, in theit great wisdom, had had 
recourse to put down these Sunday Schools, had recoiled upon 
themselves. Their own character which had been sinking 
year by year was now reduced to its lowest pitch. " They 
have, moreover," says he, " enlarged our congregations almost 
universally, and promoted a spirit of investigation and inquiry, 
before unknown ; having accomplished the very end we most 
fervently desired." 

" Having thus freely delivered myself before the public in 
vindication of my own aspersed character, and that of others, 
I have only to remark, that I should have been happy, if the 
cause would have admitted a softer style. But it has ever ap- 
peared to me, that language strong and pointed alone, would 
bring matters to an issue. A style cold and tame, would have 
sounded like a tacit acknowledgment of guilt. That great and 
good man Dr. Witherspoon, in his Ecclesiastical Character- 
istics, judged a still severer style of irony as absolutely neces- 
sary years ago, when the Church of Scotland had not taken 
such rapid strides of declension as in the present day." 

From Mr. Hill's controversy with the General Assembly of 
the Church of Scotland, we now turn to his rencontre with the 
General Associate Synod, to wit, the Secession, comprising 
the Burghers and Anti-burghers, who were quite as much exas- 
perated with him and his friends as the former. This highly 
respectable body met in solemn assembly, at Edinburgh, on 
the 8th of May, 1 799, and after due deliberation, passed an "An 
Act of the General Associate Synod," in which, to use their own 
emphatic language, they " lifted up a testimony" against these 
novel and dangerous proceedings on the part of Mr. Hill and 
his friends. Thus they speak • 

"The Synod, finding, from papers before them, that, in 
sundry places, various abuses prevail among persons of our 
communion, by promiscuous hearing, not only of ministers be- 
longing to churches from which we are in a state of separation, 
but Wkewise o{ Imj-preachers ; by our people attending public 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



81 



meetings, where private persons encroach upon the business of 
the Ministerial Office, and by the manifest abuse of Sabbath- 
evening schools : the Synod agree in renewing then- Act ol 
the 2d of May, 1798, with the following correction's and 
amendments. 

" The Synod, therefore, agree in declaring, That, as lay- 
preaching, (or preaching by persons not invested with any 
ecclesiastical office) has no warrant in the word of God; no 
person in the communion of the Secession Church ought to 
countenance the public ministrations of such persons : and as this 
Synod have always considered it their duty to testify against 
pro7niscuous communion, no person under their inspection can 
consistently with their principles, attend upon, or give counte- 
nance to, the public ministrations of those who bear office in 
ANY church against which we have lifted up a testimony, in a 
state of separation from her. 

" With regard to the Sabbath-evening Schools, though the 
Synod admit, that they may be the means of domg good 
among the rising generation, if under proper regulations ; yet 
the Synod judge, That no person in subjection to them can, 
consistently with their principles, send their children to such 
schools, or otherwise give countenance to them, if in these 
schools, discourses are delivered tending to encroach upon the 
worJc of the ministry; if there is such an attendance of multi- 
tudes as gives to the school the appearance of an assembly 
met for public worship ; if any thing is done or taught in 
these school inconsistent with the duty of the Sabbath-day ; 
if the attendance of children upon these schools shall interfere 
with the duty of parents to instruct their own children ; or if 
any thing in the character of the teacher gives reason to sus- 
pect the principles or morals of the children may be corrupted 
by them. 

" The Synod, therefore, humbly warn all persons under 
their inspection, against offending in the above respects : And 
they appoint, that if any persons in our connexion shall be 
found to do so, the Presbytery or Session, under who^e inspec- 

c 



g2 MEMOIRS OF THE 

tion they are, shall deal with them according to the degree of 
their offence." 

In this manner did the Established Church and the Dissen- 
ters of the Secession, chime in unison, and co-operate Jn con- 
cert against the Society for Propagating the Gospel at home 
in thei> measures for ameliorating the condition of the people 
of Scotland. And to give additional efficacy to their opposi- 
tion. Dr. Jamieson, an Antiburgher Minister of Edinburgh, 
took up his pen to vindicate his party and published some re- 
marks upon Mr. Hill's Journal, concerning which the latter 
pleasantly remarks, that " the Doctor writes much and says 
littler Mr. Hill rephed to the worthy Doctor in a sizeable 
pamphlet of about 100 octavo pages, entitled, " A Plea for 
Union, and for a Free Propagation of the Gospel; bemg an 
Answer to Dr. Jamieson's Remarks on the late Tour of the 
Rev. R. Hill, addressed to the Society for Propagating the 
Gospel at Home." 

The ground which the Presbyterian Dissenters thought proper 
1o take'' on this occasion, in refusing promiscuous communion 
to Enghsh Episcopalians or Scotch Independents, was quite 
monstrous in Mr. Hill's estimation. It touched the string on 
which every movement of his soul rested, and caused all his 
powers to vibrate. His expansive benevolence and enlarged 
CathoUcism led him to wish for communion with all whom, in 
a judgment of Charity, he could regard as Christians: and he 
was horrified at the idea of these seceders placing themselves 
« in a state of separation from every Christian church upon 
earth beside their own." On this subject the good man's mind 
as I have formerly remarked, was all awry " That a set of 
people, called Christians," says Mr. Hill, " and many of whom 
are, I beheve, deservedly so called, should give over to the devil, 
by 'excommunication, members of their body, for merely at- 
tending the preaching of the Gospel, by ministers of different 
denominations, united to promote the most glorious cause 
which ever actuated the human mind, is to me a solecism m 
Christianity not to be understood." 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



S3 



That tlie Associate Synod may, in a fit of jealousy, have 
stretched the arm of authority a point too far in prohibiting 
their members from hearing these itinerant preachers, is very 
possible; but that they would excommunicate them for the 
simple act of hearing is not credible, and Mr. Hill has adduced 
no proof of their having done so. If they considered the 
preaching of these Sectaries to be dangerous, they were surely 
justified in warning them against it. But Mr. Hill's zeal aj)- 
pears to have carried him beyond all the bounds of sobriety and 
prudence on this point. He laboured under an unhappy error 
of judgment on the principle of communion, or church fellow- 
ship, which no reasoning could rectify. Like what Dr. Tillotson 
says of the popish dogma of Transubstantiation, " it would 
allow nothing to be true but itself" Mr. Hill's grand maxim 
was that " union with Christ is the only term of communion," 
p. vii. In other words, all whom he could regard as Christians 
he would, admit to fellowship at the Lord's table, however dif- 
ferently minded, they might be regarding the nature, laws, 
and institutions of the Redeemer's Kingdom. But plausible as 
|his may appear to superficial thinkers, it will not bear the test 
of examination. We do not deny that, before Christianity 
became corrupted by Antichristian innovations, the disciples of 
Christ recognized each other as brethren, and received one 
another into mutual fellowship. Every Christian church had 

one Lord, one faith, one object of Hope, one Baptism, one 
God and Father of all," Ephes. iv. — they walked by the same 
rule — were all enjoined to speak the same thing — and rejected 
all human authority and the traditions of fallible men in the 
worship of God. The very same things were ordained by the 
apostles in all the churches, and the social intercourse of the 
members regulated by the same law of their divine master, 
Matt. x\iii. 15-18. The bond of union among them was not 
any private or political consideration, but love to the truth, or 
gospel, in which they found all their salvation, and to one 
another for the truth's sake. This attached them to Christ, 
and to one another for his sake, and his revealed will was the 

G 2 



81 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



standard by which all their conduct was regulated. Then, in- 
deed. Zion looked forth as the morning, " fair as the moon, clear 
as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners," Cant. vi. 10. 
But mark how different is the state of affairs among the pro- 
fessed followers of Christ, since " Antichrist has scattered the 
power of the holy people." When Christianity became a 
hand-maid to the state, every thing pertaining to the worship 
and service of God, necessarily became secularized, and the 
religion of Jesus, which was designed and divinely adapted to 
promote disconformity to the course of this present evil world 
and train up his disciples in a meetness for the heavenly state, 
was accommodated to the principles of corrupted nature and 
the reigning lusts of the human mind. In all national churches 
the authority of Christ in his own kingdom is virtually set 
aside, and even trampled under foot. The man of sin sits in 
the temple, or church of God, changing times and laws, and 
arrogating to himself the prerogatives of Deity. But would 
Mr. Hill have the disciples of Christ to mingle themselves with 
these abominations, which they must necessarily do by holding 
fellowship with abetters of the man of sin, and giving the right 
hand of fellowship to such as support him and connive at his 
evil deeds ? How monstrous the supposition ! Yet it is the 
hinge on which all his Catholicism turns. We do not deny 
that the Lord has his people in the Kirk of Scotland ; in the 
church of England ; yea, in the apostate church of Rome. But 
shall we receive them into our Christian embrace, while they 
remain in such an impure connection ? God forbid ! There is 
no such fellowship exemplified in all the New Testament, nor 
any thing to countenance it ; and it is by that rule we are to be 
regulated, and not hy our favourable opinion of the characters 
of men. The Lord of glory can admit his disciples into com- 
munion with himself in the invisible blessings of his grace, 
whom we could not admit to communion with us at his table in 
his churches on earth, because we have nothing in the way of 
either precept or example to warrant us in doing it. And this 
may serve to show how egregiously Mr. Hill mistakes the 



REV, ROWLAND HILL 



85 



matter when he talks about excommunicating all with whom we 
decline to hold fellowship, and delivering them over to the 
devil ! All this is caricature ; it has no foundation in truth ; 
it springs from„ an obliquity of judgment, and an imagination 
led astray by zeal without knowledge. Had he himself had 
" an ear to hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," he 
would have come out from the corrupt communion in which he 
was, all his days, trammelled, and separated himself unto the 
law of his God, taking part with the despised followers of the 
Lamb, and patiently bearing his reproacli. But to return from 
this digression. 

Dr. Jamieson, while he gives Mr. Hill credit for not inten- 
tionally misrepresenting the seceders, yet complains of him as 
" blackening them with his brush, and endeavouring to expose 
them to ridicule." He does not pretend to deny that till of 
late years, the Seceders had been in the practice of swearing 
to the Solemn League and Covenant ; but he labours to soften 
the meaning of the terms, extirpate^ suppress^ overcome, which 
give that Covenant such a bitter, persecuting form. " Even 
among themselves," says Mr. Hill, " the phrase is at last ac- 
knowledged to be bad, and the doctrine of persecution is now 
entirely disowned." " The Covenant had been swallowed in 
the gross, with all its red-hot phrases, till about three years 
ago," having been rejected by the Antiburgher Synod in 
May, 1796. 

As it would afford little of either instruction or amusement 
to the reader to follow these worthy gentlemen in their fruitless 
altercations, we shall abstain from doing so. Dr. Jamieson 
pronounces Mr. Hill a bigot for liberality ;" and terms him 
" a superstitious episcopal," while the latter accuses the former 
of having read his pamphlet " with the wrong end up !" We 
may, therefore, dismiss this article with adducing the testimony 
of a bye-stander, an Antiburgher Minister, who thus wrote to 
Mr. Hill. 

" Dr. Jamieson seems to me, throughout his whole book, to 
have mistaken the real hinge of the controversy into which he 



MEMOIRS OF THE 

has entered. The question is not, Whether a gospel ministry 
is a divine institution 1 Nor whether human learning, when 
sanctified by grace, is really useful to a minister or not 1 For 
this is readily granted by all, and denied by none upon either 
side. But the question is, Whether in such a season as this, 
when the schools of the prophets have been so long barren 
among all the denominations in Scotland, that the people of 
God were beginning to despair of a succession of faithful, ex- 
perienced gospel ministers; — I say, whether in this case they 
are, by the word of God, absolutely confined to those that the 
clero-y give us from their own seminaries ? or whether, in case 
they find men of eminent parts, and eminent piety and experi- 
ence among themselves, that have not passed all the stages oi 
secular learning, or been regularly bred at College, they may, 
nevertheless, take these, and get them appointed over (the 
people) as ministers, rather than want the food of their souls, 
and a lively, searching, spiritual ministry ? Indeed, the modes 
of Education in the best Divinity-halls in Scotland, are by no 
means calculated to teach men to be fishers of men. I speak 
from experience ; and I know and have known, sundry private 
men who are fitter to be ministers, than most of us that have 
Dot a reofular education." 

All this may be well enough as matters stand between these 
two controversialists ; but it is to be lamented, that they should 
both overlook the Scriptural plan for obtaining Elders, Pas- 
tors, or Ministers of the word, which was by the exercise of the 
gifts of the private brethren in the way of exhortation, or teach- 
ing in the church on the Lord's Day, according to Ephes. iv. 
This is Christ's own method, and it is worth more than all the 
rest put together, because it is that which he himself stands 
pledged to succeed with his blessing, Jer. iii. 15. 

"Notwithstanding all the high language of the various 
priest-making denominations," says Mr. Hill, "as though 
wisdom and learning alone dwelt with them, and all besides 
were nothing better than barbarians ; we will venture to asser^ 
that all this artificial manufacturing for the ministry does infi = 



REV. ROWLAND HILL, 



S7 



ijlte harm to the cause of real Christianity. Such men as these 
never were designed by the Lord of the harvest for the sacred 
office, and hang as a dead weight upon the church. Holy zeal 
for the salvation of souls can never he expected from them. 
Sinners are left to perish by thousands, while these men meanly 
submit to the impositions and limited restrictions of the parties 
to which they may belong. Their sermons also being the un- 
natural production of a burdened mind, are too frequently just 
the reverse of the word of life. When the glorious, animating, 
and enlivening truths of the gospel are put into a dry systematic 
form, instead of being " the savour of hfe unto life," spiritual 
death is engendered thereby, and comes in upon the congre- 
gation like a pestilence. Had Dr. Jamieson duly considered 
the perfect inattention, and the slothful indecency, even to a 
degree of shameful stupor, which appears in the public assem- 
Dlies of such preachers, he would have been less severe in his 
sarcastic censures on others, who conceive it as much their duty 
to aifect and enliven the heart, as to enrich and illuminate the 
understanding. And while the Doctor, in his ironical language 
is pleased to speak of that ' dull thing called a sermon,' yet if 
he and his admirers of the established church, choose to approve 
of these ' dull things,' it may, with the Doctor's and their 
leave, be left with us to admire somewhat more animated, and 
better calculated to do good to the people, and to judge that 
to be the hest preaching after all, w^hich best answers the end 
of preaching." 

It has been already intimated that, during the summer of 
1799, Mr. Hill visited Scotland a second time, on which occa- 
sion he proceeded to the Highlands, and on his return home 
pubhshed an " Extract of a Journal of a Second Tour from 
London through the Highlands of Scotland, and the north 
western parts of England, with Observations and Remarks," 
40 pages, 8vo. London, 1800. 

. Mr. Hill left home on Thursday, May 16th, 1799, and pro- 
ceeding by way of St. Alban's, Newport Pagnell, and Olney, 
spent the Lord's day. May 19th, at Northampton, where hf; 



88 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



preached three times in the Baptist Meeting-house, the place 
being so much crowded in the evening that they were under the 
necessity of taking out the windows of the Chapel. He then 
roceeded to Lutterworth and Leicester, thence to Derby, 
Matlock, Sheffield, and Huddersfield, where he passed the 
Sabbath, May 26th. On the same evening he went to Halifax, 
and preached to Mr. Cockin's congregation, in the largest place 
of dissenting worship in the North of England. 

Proceeding through Skipton and Settle, he paid a transient 
visit to the lakes of Westmoreland, and taking his course 
through Carlisle, Gretna Green, and Annan, reached Dumfries 
on the Lord's day, where he preached thrice in a large place of 
worship to a very crowded and attentive congregation, but 
whether of the Relief or Burgher denomination, he had totally 
forgotten. On the Monday he preached again, morning and 
evening. Tuesday at Moffiit ; Wednesday, at Peebles ; and 
on Thursday at Biggar. 

On Friday, June 7th, Mr. Hill reached Edinburgh, where he 
found all the city quite thunder struch at the fulminating hull 
which had been recently issued by the General Assembly. And 
no wonder he says, that a temporary panic had taken place, 
since " the public must have conceived that no body of people 
could presume to bring forward such pointed and direct accu- 
sations, affecting even our lives, unless they had some founda- 
tion for their charges." Mr. Hill adds, in a note ; " three rea- 
sons alone can be assigned for their conduct ; these are, mad- 
ness, malice, or an attempt to discover our treasonable plots; 
and the first of these reasons should seem the most probable^ 
the Pastoral Admonition being dated on the day of the full 
moon !" 

To enable his readers to have a full view of the charges of 
the enraged Sanhedrim, Mr. Hill printed the Pastoral Admo- 
nition at the foot of the page, in his Second Tour. It was 
ordered to be read in all the parish churches in Scotland. 
Having spent the first Lord's day, June the 9th, in Edin- 
burgh, where he preached, in the morning, in the Circus, to a 



KEY. ROWLAND HILL. 



89 



crowd^^d congregation ; and in the evening at Leith; he spent 
the remainder of the week in attending some " secret meetings^* 
and on Thursday preached at Dalkeith. On the following 
Lord's day he preached again at the Circus, and in the evening 
took his station on the Calton Hill, where he addressed ten 
thousand people. He now prepared for his trip to the High- 
lands, and set out on Wednesday, accompanied by Mr. 
Greville Ewing, passing through Stirling, Kinross, and Dun- 
fermline, to Dundee, v/here they passed Lord's day, June 23d. 
From thence they proceeded to Aberbrothic, Montrose, Bre- 
chin, Lawrence-Kirk, and Stonehaven, to Aberdeen, preaching 
at nearly all the towns they passed through. At this renowned 
seminary of learning they arrived on Saturday, June 30th. 
Mr. Hill entertains his readers with a description of this place, 
from which I shall make an extract. 

One would suppose Aberdeen would be all over religious. 
Two Universities in the same place : one at the new town, the 
other at the old : each of them fully adequate to educate for 
the ministry, and to confer degrees on the learned. And 
according to the Pastoral Admonition, the church of Scot- 
land must be blessed with angels rather than men ; for she 
finds that no seminary upon earth can furnish her church with 
such ministers as she will accept : those are only to be found 
among the dear bantlings of her own tuition. I believe, how- 
ever, that the decayed look of their colleges exhibits a 
striking resemblance of the decayed state of their religion. 
Kome herself in her most rotten and corrupted state, kept up 
her spiritual game, by boasting of the learning and purity of 
her clergy. The like gorgeous boast we have repeatedly from 
Oxford and Cambridge, respecting the young huchs and blades 
they send forth for the service of the church. The ecclesi- 
astical characteristics of the late Dr. Witherspoon, though 
himself of the established church, sets off what is to be found 
in the northern and southern establishments, so completely, 
that I much rather wish a revival of that publication from 
such a masterly pen, than myself descant upon the subject." 



90 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



" From Aberdeen I had to lament the departure of my 
worthy and affectionate fellow-labourer, Mr. Ewing, whose 
presence was needed at Glasgow. J was afterwards attended 
through the Highlands by two young gentlemen of respecta- 
bility from England, who are at Aberdeen for the advantages 
of education." 

On Monday, July 1st, Mr. Hill and his two young friends 
proceeded to Meldrum, Graystone, Huntley, and Fochabers. 
At Huntley he met with one whose character he had previously 
known by report, and who stole into his heart the moment 
they began to converse — this was George Cowie, the Anti- 
burgher minister of Huntley. Here he preached to two 
thousand people, in a very convenient place, walled in for the 
purpose. Next morning he preached in his "dear brother 
Cowie's meeting-house — left that warm-hearted affectionate 
minister, and preached the next morning at Keith to about 
four or five hundred people." 

The scenery as well as the manners and habits of the people 
was now both novel and diversified, and Mr. Hill's remarks 
and observations are no way inferior to those of Dr. Johnson 
in his Journey to the Hebrides. " The Duke of Gordon has 
a most magnificent seat near Fochabers; but it appears to 
me a princely mansion in a poor situation. The vale is flat 
and uninteresting, and the neighbouring wide-extended plan- 
tations are more wild and romantic. Tired of parading 
through a large suit of rooms, where nothing but the elegance 
and sumptuousness of the furniture is to be exhibited, one 
almost pities the Peer who has nothing but such artificial 
beauties, instead of those finer displays of grandeur which 
the scenes of nature present to her admirers." " In these 
northern parts of Scotland, I could not but remark the length 
of the days. Though it was now some time after the summer 
solstice, yet at midnight I could see to read my pocket bible, 
while every object appeared but a very little less clear and 
distinct than in the day." 

On the 4th of July (Thursday) he arrived at Elgin, and 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



preached in a field to a very large and attentive congregation. 
He remarks, " Never did I so regret the mischief done by 
the barbarous hand of our rude, but well-meaning reformers, 
as was exhibited in the demolition of Elgin cathedral. 
Enough remains of it in ruins to determine that its architec- 
tural beauties were strikingly magnificent." 

" On the Friday, preached at Forres in the morning, and at 
Nairn in the evening; and on the Saturday morning at 
Campbleton, near Fort St. George. The prospect of doing 
good in these parts is the most pleasant I have met with in 
Scotland. The people travel almost throughout the night, 
that they may reach a morning sermon. From twenty miles 
around, and some even from a greater distance, they flock 
from every quarter, and hear with a peculiar seriousness and 
attention; while not much less, and sometimes many more, 
than a thousand, or nearly two thousand people would attend, 
and that too in a country where the inhabitants were by no 
means numerous, and where the Gaelic language is in general 
use among the common people." 

Inverness, which is reckoned the capital of the Highlands, 
appears to have been the extremity of Mr. Hill's tour. Here 
he spent a Sabbath, preaching to a large congregation at an 
early hour in the morning, and again in the evening to a much 
larger, supposed to be between two and three thousand. 
Here he remarks, " Though my spirits were lowered by bodily 
sufferings, yet I trust it was a gracious opportunity to many. 
I shall ever remember these stages of my tour from Aber- 
deen, through the northern parts of Scotland, with much 
thankfulness before God." 

On Mcnday, July 8th, Mr. Hill began to bend his course 
towards Glasgow, by the Lakes. A traveller who has been 
confined to the British dominions, he tells us, will find through 
this country, that which I suppose will most strike and sur- 
prise him. Scotland is nearly cut through by a chain of 
lakes, running almost in a straight line from north-east to 
south-west, and through the highest grounds on the British 



92 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



island. These are in some places nearly perpendicular, and 
in most places remarkably rugged and wild. A waterfall 
near a surprising spot, called General's Hut, demands the 
attention of the traveller. Government, during the time of 
the Rebellion, thought it necessary to form, what is still called, 
a military road, through this almost inaccessible country. 
Over this road I travelled. Loch Ness, a few miles above 
Inverness, and almost level with the sea, extends in a straight 
line 22 miles. It is therefore seen from end to end. 

Speaking of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British 
dominions, and which terminates one of the Loughs, Mr. Hill 
remarks, that " such as have climbed the summit of this 
mountain have had presented to their view, a prospect the 
most boundless and romantic. Every thing that intercepts 
the sight is surmounted by its height, while a great part of 
the prospect is the most dreary and wild; yet the broken 
inlets of the sea, which find their way in a variety of j^lac s 
through the north-west of Scotland, diversify the scene; 
while nothing afterwards intercepts the sight till the northern 
parts of Scotland are discovered. About half way up this 
tremendous hill is a wide extended lake, which, from the sum 
mit adds much to the surprising view." 

At the foot of Ben Nevis, stands Fort William, seated at 
the top of a beautiful salt-water Loch, called Loch Linch. 
Having given the people a sermon at Fort William, Mr. Hill 
says, "We proceeded down this beautiful arm of the sea, 
alFording a prospect very various and pleasant. We passed 
some vales, the most striking and romantic. Some High- 
landers were building their cottages ; and this they contrived 
to do without the use of a single nail or a particle of iron ; 
the rafters and ribs were pinned together with wood, and 
twisted withs answered for the hinges and fastenings of the 
door." 

I am tempted to make one extract more from this part of 
the Tour, and shall then take leave of it. 

"With some difficulty, and much loss of time, we passed a 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



93 



ferry : the boat being bad, and my horse not a little fearful, 
we were under the necessity of swimming him over this arm 
of the sea. The scenery continued the most enchanting and 
wild, the inlet of the sea giving it a very pleasant variety. 
We soon met with mountains of the most rugged and terrible 
Appearance. Tlie road finds it way up a narrow rocky glen, 
where one would suppose no road could have been formed, 
called the Devil's Staircase. This gives entrance into a 
country the most dreary and barren: not a single tree, and 
scarcely a blade of grass ; all a wide extended bog for many 
miles. In the centre of this dreary part of the Highlands, 
having met with such delays, we were obliged to take our 
night's lodging at a place called the King's House. The ac- 
commodations, however, ill suited the name of the place ; a 
little tea, a few eggs, and oatcakes, were our only repast. Our 
poor horses had neither hay nor straw, and it was with diffi- 
culty that we could procure for each of them a feed of corn 
at night and another in the morning, while our chamber 
accommodations were of a similar description. We made an 
early escape from this miserable habitation, which has not a 
single cot nearer than nine miles. And after a dreary journey 
of near twenty miles, came to Teyndrum, a village of some 
decent appearance for those parts. From thence w^e had to 
travel by the rugged sides of Loch Lomond, which exhibits 
scenery the most pleasing and picturesque. The Loch is 
twenty miles in length, and contains a greater variety of views 
than any other in the north. Ben Lomond, another of the 
highest highland mountains, looks prodigious, though inferior 
to Ben Nevis, as it is viewed from the opposite side of the 
lake, and the base of it appears from the verge of the water. 
They who have indulged themselves with the view from its 
highest point, inform us that its beauties are superior to 
description. A mountain standing upon the verge of an im- 
mensely wild country, commanding, at the same time, a vast 
extent of those lands called the Lowlands of Scotland, in 
general fertile and well-inhabited; having beneath it a lake, 



9|. MEMOIRS OF THE 

ennched with several islands, some of them considerable, with 
a number of beautiful villas, must be enchanting, indeed, 
except to such as are born without eyes or taste. The brutes 
which can graze upon the surface of such scener}^, give us an 
idea too strikingly just of that mind which can be presented 
with views like these, of the dignity and majesty of the great 
God, and forget to adore him." 

Mr. Hill reached Glasgow on Friday, July 12, where he 
found the tabernacle (late a riding school), not quite ready 
for being opened ; and therefore proceeded on the Saturday 
to Edinburgh, where he spent the Lord's day, preaching three 
times, to congregations as large as heretofore. On the fol- 
lowing Sabbath he was at Air, where he preached morning 
and evening; and concerning which he records the following 
amusing anecdote. " As it was necessary to inform the town 
by the bellman, of my intention to preach, the honest man did 
his office as directed; and on the next day, although the 
Sabbath, we found he was committed to prison for his trans- 
gression. The better day, the better deed. Nothing, in 
o-eneral, comes amiss as a commission to the bellman; whether 
it be to announce a horse-race, a puppet-show, or a sermon. 
Perhaps, according to the proclamation of the General As- 
sembly, it might have been supposed he was crying up the 
harangue of an artful and designing man, notoriously 
disaffected to the civil government." It appears, therefore, 
that if they could have inflicted the same punishment on me 
for the use I made of my poor clapper, as they did on the poor 
bell-man, for the use he made of the dapper of his bell, I had 
not been released from my visit to Air, so soon as I should 
have wished." 

Mr. Hill's exertions in preaching were, at this time, most 
extraordinary, and such as few men besides himself could 
have undergone ; especially when we take into account the 
numbers to whom he usually spoke, and the powerful intona- 
tions ot his voice. Thus, for instance, having preached at Air 
twice on the Lord's day, July 21, he proceeded to Irvine, 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



9.5 



Avliere lie gave a sermon at an early hour on Monday morn- 
ing : travelled to Salcoates, where he preached at noon the 
same day ; and in the evening preached the third time to a 
very serious and attentive congregation on the sea-shore. He 
adds, " though my spirits were this day much refreshed 
by the seriousness and attention of the people, and the affec- 
tionate disposition of the ministers ; yet, I found three sermons 
on the Monday, after the labours of the Sabbath, were quite 
equal to the utmost of my strength." No wonder ! 

On Lord's day, July 28, the tabernacle at Glasgow was 
opened for public worship. The place was calculated to 
contain three thousand people. Mr. Hill preached in the 
morning to an overflowing congregation. Mr. Greville Ewing, 
afterwards the stated minister of the place, conducted the 
second service; the place was not only crowded, but hundreds 
went away for want of room. All was solemn and still till an 
unaccountable alarm took place, without the least apparent 
cause, that the building was giving away. It was a consider- 
able time before the people's fears in any measure subsided, 
and before Mr. Ewing, with some difficulty could finish his 
discourse. The rails of the staircase giving way, some Kmbs 
were broken ; but, happily, no lives were lost. In the evening 
of the same day, Mr. Hill preached, out of doors, to six or 
seven tliousand people ; but the unusual exertions of his voice 
in attempting to quell the fears of the people in the taber- 
nacle, ill fitted him for the further exertions which such a 
congregation required; his throat and breast were rendered 
so sore thereby, attended also with a spitting of blood, that 
for a time he totally lost his voice. In the course of four or 
five days, however, he found himself well enough to proceed 
to Lanark, where he preached at Mr. David Dale's cotton 
mills, to six hundred children, and as many men and women, 
in a large room appropriated for the purpose of public 
worship. No manufactory, in Britain, nearly equals these 
cotton mills for the extent and magnitude of their design. 
Thev are situated delightfully, near the falls of the CI3 de. 



9a 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



These falls are among the first of the natural curiosities of 
Scotland; at all times the fall of these cataracts is heard at a 
considerable distance, but when the river is flooded, the roar 
is tremendous." 

Mr. Hill returned to Edinburgh on the Saturday, and on 
the Lord's day morning preached at the Circus, and dispensed 
the communion ; and in the evening preached his last sermon 
in that city, after which a collection was made for the benefit 
of the " Society for propagating the Gospel at home his 
' own " despised Itinerant Society," as he calls it ; on which 
occasion he found the people were not so frightened by the 
late thunders of the General Assembly as to be prevented 
from putting their hands in their pockets. " Why, then," he 
asks, "should we be angry with them? they have done the 
cause essential service. Investigation of our designs was all 
that we could have wished ; and this has been most effectually 
accomplished by their outcry of treason and rebellion against 
us. They ordered every bush to be beaten by commanding 
their proclamation, made up of malice and scandal^ to be read 
against us in every church; and not one of these rebels, after 
all, could ever be started, though declared by them to be 
' notoriously disaffected.' What a calamity, that there 
should be such a hunt with so little success ? And what must 
the sheriff of each county conceive of the falsehood of this 
clerical alarm, who attempted to make them the tools for 
the purposes of their spiritual vengeance, to find out— 
NOTHING!" 

Mr. Hill reached his brother's residence at Hawkstone, 
the place of his nativity, on Saturday, August 10; where he 
met his wife after the longest absence since their union, and in 
good health. On the following Saturday he reached Wotton- 
Underedge, after an absence from thence of nine months 
having performed a journey of full sixteen hundred miles. 



REV. iiOWLAND HILL. 



SECTION V. 

MB. hill's apology FOR SUNDAY SCHOOLS, AND SPIRITUAL 
CHARACTERISTICS, OR SALE OF CURATES, A. D. 1801, ETC. 

The education of the children of the industrious poor — in- 
structing them in the principles of Christianity — and initiating 
them in virtuous habits, was always a favourite object with 
Mr. Hill. Accordingly, attached to Surrey Chapel was a Sun- 
day School which admitted to gratuitous tuition not less than 
a thousand children. There were numerous similar institu- 
tions in and about London ; and at the beginning of the pre • 
sent century they were so common that few dissenting chapels, 
where the congregations were to any amount, were without 
a Sunday School. We cannot, therefore, be surprised that 
those who regard themselves as " the watchmen of the holy 
city," par excellence, the clergy of the Church of England, 
should take the alarm at this wide spreading leprosy, and 
bestir themselves to adopt measures for checking its progress. 
Foremost in the rank of these was the late Dr. Horsley, bishop 
of St. David's and afterwards of Rochester; who from the first of 
his elevation to the mitre, inveighed against them and against 
itinerant preaching most indignantly. In a charge to the 
clergy of his diocese, delivered in the year 1790, he first 
sounded the tocsin and endeavoured to rouse the clergy from 
their supineness. He vvas at that time bishop of St. David's, 
one of the poorest sees in the English hierarchy ; but having 
succeeded in a translation to Rochester, he came forward, in 
the year 1800, in more formidable array, in a second charge, 
and attacked the Dissenters with their Sunday Schools and 
itinerant preaching with redoubled fury. But not contenting 
himself with what he had already done through the medium nl* 
the pulpit and the press, he introduced the subject into one of 
his speeches in the House of Peers, in which according to his 
own confession he assured noble Lords that, "schools of Jacobi- 

H 



98 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



nical religion and Jacobinical politics ; that is to saj, schools 
of atheism and disloyalty, abound in this country — schools in 
the shape and disguise of Charity Schools and Sunday Schools, 
in which the minds of the children of the very lowest orders 
are enlightened ; that is to say, taught to despise religion, and 
the laws, and all subordination: This I know to be the fad^'' 

It must be obvious to every reflecting mind, that this state- 
ment, in so far as it was credited, could have no other tendency 
than to draw down upon the patrons and abetters of Sunday 
Schools, the indignation and odium of the British government. 
Bishop Horsley was unquestionably a man of very superior 
learning and talents ; and his speech was on that account cal- 
culated to have the greater weight with the public at large 
But his high-church principles and intolerant zeal against dis- 
senters rendered him a very dangerous politician, while the 
violence of his temper was perpetually goading him to a line 
of conduct in parliament so incompatible with the peace and 
order of society, that even Mr. Pitt is said to have frequently 
expressed his regret that he ever consented to his being made 
a bishop. The late Mr. Hall of Leicester had taken him in 
hand about the year 1793, in the Preface to his " Apology for 
the Freedom of the Press," on account of his bitter invective 
against the Dissenters, holding him up as " a disgusting pic- 
ture of sanctimonious hypocrisy and priestly insolence" — the 
" apologist of tyranny, the patron of passive obedience" — and 
he adds, " It is a shrewd presumption against the utility of reli- 
gious establishments that they too often become seats of intole- 
rance, instigators to persecution, nurseries of Bonners and 
of Horsleys." 

But this " Goliah of Gath" had not profited by Mr. Hall's 
castigation ; or if it had produced a momentary impression, it 
had now worn off, as the following extract from his Charge to 
the Clergy of the diocese of Rochester will abundantly evince. 
Thus his lordship writes : 

" Still the operations of the enemy are going on. Still 
going on by stratagem. The stratagem still a pretence of 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



reformation. But the reformation the very reverse of what 
was before attempted. Instead of divesting religion of its mys- 
teries, and reducing it to a mere philosophy in speculation, 
and to a mere morality in practice, the plan is now to affect a 
great zeal for orthodoxy : to make great pretensions to an ex- 
traordinary measure of the Holy Spirit's influence ; to alienate 
the minds of the people from the established clergy by repre- 
senting them as sordid worldlings ; without any concern about 
the souls of men ; indifferent to the religion which they ought 
to teach, and to which the laity are attached, and destitute of 
the Spirit of God. In many parts of the kingdom, new con- 
venticles have been opened in great number, and congrega- 
tions formed of one knows not what denomination. The pastor 
is often, in appearance at least, an illiterate peasant or me- 
chanic. The congregation is visited occasionally by preachers 
from a distance. Sunday Schools are opened in connection 
with these conventicles. There is much reason to suspect, that 
the expences of these schools and conventicles are defrayed by 
associations formed in different places. For the preachers and 
schoolmasters are observed to engage in expences, for the sup- 
port and advancement of their institutions, to which, if we 
may judge from appearance, their own means must be altoge- 
ther inadequate. The poor are even bribed by small pecu- 
niary gifts from time to time, to send their children to these 
schools of they know not what, rather than to those connected 
with the Established Church, in which they would be bred in 
the principles of true religion and loyalty. It is very remark- 
able, that these new congregations of nondescripts, have been 
mostly formed, since the Jacobins have been laid under the 
restraint of those two most salutary statutes, commonly known 
by the names of the sedition and the treason bill — a circum- 
stance which gives much ground for suspicion, that sedition 
and atheism are the real objects of these institutions, rather 
than religion. Indeed, in some places this is known to be the 
case. In one topic, the teachers of all these congregations 
agree— abuse of the established clergy, as negligent of their 

H 2 



100 



MEMOIRS OF THK 



flocks, cold in their preaching, and destitute of the Spirit. In this 
they are joined by persons of a very different cast, whom a person 
of candour, of which they on their part set but a poor example, 
is unwilling to suspect of any ill design, though it is difficult 
to acquit them of the imputation of an indiscretion iu thetr 
zeal, which in its consequences may be productive of mis- 
chief, very remote, I believe, from their intentions. It is a 
dreadful aggravation of the dangers of the present crisis in 
this country, that persons of real piety should, without knowing 
it, be lending their aid to the common enemy, and making 
themselves in effect accomplices in a conspiracy, against the 
Lord and against his Christ. The Jacobins of this country, 
I very much fear, are at this moment making a tool of 
Methodism, just as the illumin6es of Bavaria made a tool of 
Free Masonry, while the real Methodist, like the real Free 
Mason, is kept in utter ignorance of the wicked enterprise the 
counterfeit has in hand." 

Such was his Grace of Rochester's attack upon Sunday 
Schools, Conventicles, Methodism, &c. &c. and as the school 
connected with Surrey Chapel was probably among the largest 
in the kingdom, it was natural for Mr. Hill to feel it, and 
defend himself and friends from the foul aspersions and still 
more foul innuendoes contained in it. With this view he 
preached a Sermon at Surrey Chapel on the 22d February, 
1801, for the benefit of the Southwark Sunday Schools, and 
afterwards published the substance of it under the title of 
" An Apology for Sunday Schools," dedicated to The Presi- 
dent, Vice-Presidents, and the Committee and Subscribers of 
the Sunday School Society— with incidental Remarks on the 
late Charge of the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of 
Rochester. 

The prelate's philippic had already received a very con 
vincing and satisfactory answer from the pen of the judicious 
John Townsend, then pastor of the Independent Church, 
Jamaica Row, Rotherhithe, whose " Hints on Sunday Schools" 
had sufficiently exonerated the dissenters from the load of 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



101 



obloquy heaped upon them by the bishop. But Mr. Hill con- 
ceived that by the opprobrious epithet " non-descript," he was 
particularly pointed at ; and consequently called upon to an- 
swer for himself. Dissenters, he said, were descripts. His 
lordship could not refer to them: he must mean by '^non- 
descripts," persons who were not avowedly dissenters. While, 
therefore, he gives his friend, Mr. Townsend, full credit for 
his vindication of the dissenters, he thinks " that the judgment 
of his good friend was rather warped by his principles" — but 
that this did not supersede the necessity of himself coming 
forward to defend the real character and views of the non- 
descripts, " who, as a body, have no objection to establishments, 
or to the church as established among us ; and who would be 
heartily glad to live and die in connection with it, provided 
his lordship's complaint was not too just against the heathenish 
style of preaching adopted by too many of her clergy." 

The text of the Sermon, was Acts ii. 39, For the promise 
is unto you, and to your children, &c." and as the author himself 
admits, in an advertisement prefixed, it has no other claim on 
the attention of the public than as accidental circumstances 
may demand their notice to its contents. He comments with 
his usual acuteness on the bishop's logic, in telling his clergy, 
that "there is much ground for suspicion, that sedition and 
atheism are the real objects of these institutions," and then 
adding, " this he hnows to he afactP On this Mr. Hill re- 
marks, "though it may seem a little unintelligible that his 
lordship should have " much ground to suspecf'^ what " he 
knows to be a fact," yet the charge is pushed completely 
home, without hesitation. These " atheistical Jacobinical 
hypocrites," who deserve a halter as much as ever his lordship 
does a better bishopric — so soon as he has proved the charge, 
and surely there can be no great difficulty, if, as he says, he 
knows it to be 'a matter of fact:' — ^these abominable infidels 
in disguise, I say, are receiving Bibles and Testaments that 
they may disseminate infidelity, by distributing and explaining 
the booh of Revelation ! Does this need confutation ?" 



102 MEMOIRS OF THE 

Mr. Hill has added several long notes to the sermon, of a 
very amusing cast, and some of them are barbed arrows indeed. 
For instance, p. 22, he sa3^s, " His lordship must know with 
us, that in the church there are not only sordid worldlings^ but 
men even worse than worldlings ; men profusely prodigal, who 
can rob the industrious tradesman by their long standing debts, 
till nothing but an execution can extort from the pockets of 
the worthless priests his just demand." Here one naturally 
asks. Did Mr. Hill intend to fix this odious stigma on the 
Bishop of Rochester If not, Avhy was the thing introduced at 
all ? But if he did, what a trait in the character of a r. R. f. i. g. 
Leaving this, however, a moot point, let us mark how he pro- 
ceeds : " And to this list he might add a number of those, who 
not only take the Lord's name in vain, like the Antijacobin 
Reviewers, but who swear profanely ; and others also who are 
shamefully regardless of the solemnities of the Sabbath, and 
who by their idle visits, frivolous conversations, and unneces- 
sary travellings, greatly add to the wickedness of the day, with a 
long string of spiritual game-keepers in the annual lists in the 
newspapers." 

Speaking of the lazy practice of opening the churches for 
divine worship on one part only of the Lord's day, the bishop 
had remarked in his Charge, that " the Sectaries take great 
advantage of this ; and what is much worse, the devil dX^o takes 
advantage of it. On that half of the da3% on which there is 
no admission at the parish church, good inclinations carry the 
more pious part of your parishioners to the conventicle ; and 
the devil invites those of another cast to the ale-house." On 
this Mr. Hill remarks, " What a pity that his lordship had not 
been a methodist parson ! Is not this a fair specimen how com- 



* This appalling supposition is strengthened by the fact, that Mr. Hill 
introduces the mention of the very same subject, in the body of his Ser- 
mon, p. 40, in these words : " The Bishop himself, surely, would not have 
us suffer a tradesman to address us a second time for the same debt. We 
are not in the least dread of an execution in our houses, from our Sta- 
tioner-s demands 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



103 



pletely he could have adopted their style ? though, to be sure, 
it sounds a little like taking the devil's name in vain." In a 
note, p. 39, Mr. Hill says, " There is not a passage in the 
bishop's charge which conveys to my mind an insinuation so 
malevolent as that which supposes the exertions of the non- 
descripts did not commence till the treason and sedition acts 
passed into a law (See Charge, pp. 19, 20). Now the design 
of this strange red-hot random shot is conspicuous enough. 
The cry of sedition has ever been made the pretext for perse- 
cution ; and the alarm is now sounded that danger is just at 
the door. How would his lordship feel were he in return to be 
charged with a design to introduce Popery on the ruins of the 
Reformation, and to have it asserted, that his lordship enter- 
tains hopes of filling St. Peter's chair ? which might easily be 
inferred from the mild and friendly terms which he always uses, 
when he has to make any Annotations on the Mother of har- 
lots and her apostate church*. As it happens, however, his 
lordship is as mistaken in our chronology as in our designs : 
for, I believe, we can testify before God and man^ that, while 
these acts affected us no more than his lordship, yet seeing 
with regret, long before that period, the infamous zeal of 
Paine and his associates, we exerted ourselves accordingly, and 
mean, by the blessing of God, still to prove our atheism and 
infidelity by promoting Christianity to the utmost of our 
power." 

In conclusion, Mr. Hill expresses his humble hope, that the 
bishop will look a little closer into their Sunday schools, where 
it is supposed that he may actually find some pious, rational, 
prudent young men, that, with a little further education, rnay 
be fit to fill an office in the established church, " quite as well 
as a great number of those dapper bucks and Z»/«Je<s, which are 
well known to be whipt througk our Universities, till, sadly 
against their wills, they are thrust into the church," p. 42, 
note. 



* Quere, for Apostate Church, read " unchaste daughter.^'' 



104 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



I now take leave of this " Apology for Sunday Schools," by 
remarking that Mr. Hill has been vastly more successful in 
vindicating the institution itself from the malevolent attacks of 
the learned prelate, than he has in making out his own con- 
sistency in retaining his connection with a body so mon- 
strously corrupt as the Church of England is upon his own 
showings or in exonerating himself from the imputation of a 
nondescript! But the grand proof of this astounding fact now 
forces itself upon us. 

It was about the time at which we are now arrived, that an 
Act passed the British Legislature, entitled, " An Act to amend 
the Laws relating to spiritual persons holding of Farms, and 
for enforcing the residence of Spiritual Persons on their Bene- 
fices in England," 7th July, 1803. This law was intended to 
correct an evil of long standing and loud complaint, viz. the 
non-residence of the clergy of the established church ; and, as 
may be supposed, it occasioned a prodigious sensation through- 
out the country. Shortly afterwards, a bulky pamphlet made 
its appearance under the following title, " Spiritual Cha- 
racteristics : represented in an Account of a most curious 
Sale ot Curates by Public Auction, who were to be disposed 
of in consequence of the Clergy Residence Act; in which the 
^ original design and probable consequences of that Law, are 
laid before the public : delivered in the similitude of a dream. 
By an Old Observer : Motto, Veluti in Speculum?'' 

The author evidently borrowed the leading branch of his 
title from a publication of a similar tendency by the celebrated 
Dr. Witherspoon, then of Paisley, intitled, " Ecclesiastical 
Characteristics ; or the Arcana of Church Policy ; being an 
humble attempt to open the Mystery of Moderation," &c. 
This smart and satirical piece was a great favourite with Mr. 
Hill, and often referred to by him in his Journal of a Tour to 
Scotland, and the other pamphlets which his tour gave rise to, 
as the reader may have noticed in the preceding pages. It is 
true, that neither Dr. Witherspoon ,nor Mr. Hill put their 
names to their respective productions, and that for very obvious 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



105 



reasons; but the propriety of filiation was, I belies^e, never 
questioned in either instance. Though both treatises were, in 
a very high degi'ee, ironical, there was nevertheless a manifest 
and striking difference in the nature of the weapon used. Dr. 
Witherspoon applied the caustic, and scarcely ever had recourse 
to the knife ; while Mr. Hill chastized with scorpions. " Im- 
medicabile vulnus ense recidendum," was his motto. It has 
been said, with what truth I know not, that Mr. Hill after a 
time, suppressed the sale of his pamphlet, and if the fact were 
so, there is nothing to surprise us in the matter. There could 
not possibly be a more signal proof of human inconsistency 
than in his remaining in the communion of a church the cor- 
ruptions of which he had so glaringly exposed. Not that there 
was any thing remarkably different in quality or kind from 
what is to be found occasionally interspersed in his other writ- 
ings ; but, in his " Sale of Curates," he seems to have collected 
into a focus, all the abominations appertaining to this part of 
the Episcopal system, and to have drawn his illustrations from 
living characters^ in colours so vivid, and on canvass so trans- 
parent, that the originals were seen through, and made the 
victims of popular obloquy and scorn. As the actors, how- 
ever, are now mostly off the stage ; and there is no danger of 
the present generation attempting to fix the Dramatis Per- 
soncs; as Mr. Hill is no longer with us to dread their resent- 
ment: and especially as the evil which he so unmercifully 
lashes still continues in unabated force, there can be no pos- 
sible harm in dissecting the pamphlet, and giving the reader, 
who has never seen it, a specimen of the delectable articles of 
which it is composed. 

The author enters upon his task by informing his reader^s 
that, while lately passing a long winter's evening with a 
friend, the conversation turned upon the probable conse- 
quences of the Act lately passed respecting the non-residence 
of the clergy. After talking over the matter in all its mul- 
tifarious bearings, he retired to rest, with, his head brimfuU 
of the conversation, and began dreaming about the subject 



106 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



in a most extraordinary and impressive manner. He fancied 
himself in some considerable town, into which he beheld 
a large influx of the clergy, who entered it from all quarters, 
mostly two by two ; the generality of them exhibiting such 
rueful countenances as he never before beheld. Some of 
them appeared most marvellously plump, and of an enormous 
^ize, while their glum looks were expressive of the deepest sor- 
row. Many others of them appeared like jockies in half- 
mourning. These went stamping and roaring about, as though 
they were half-mad, crying out at intervals, What shall I do ? 
What shall I do ? Each of these was attended by another, 
whose poverty-struck appearance formed the strangest contrast 
he ever beheld ; but all the motley group seemed to be equally 
downcast and demure. While this strange visionary scene was 
before him, he fancied he heard a grave old gentleman ask a 
poor widow, who was selling apples and ginger-bread in the 
market-place, what had brought all these reverend gentlemen 
into the town, and whether it was not the time appointed for a 
visitation ? To which she replied, " Why, have you not heard 
that the rectors are going to dispose of their curates to day by 
auction ?" This excited his eager curiosity, and he hastened 
into the Auction-room, at the moment the sale was just about 
to commence. 

The auctioneer having, with three raps of his hammer, com- 
manded silence, then commenced his speech, declaring that 
though he had been engaged in the business of an auctioneer 
for many years, yet never before had he a sale of a nature so 
extraordinary as this. Even Dr. Francis Moore, in his Alma- 
nack, with all his insight into futurity, was never able by his 
profound knowledge of the configuration of the stars, to predict 
this most marvellous event. After eulogizing the wisdom of 
our legislative body as it relates to our political concerns, the 
result of which was seen in a nation whose European dominions 
are so small, yet spreading her triumphal banners throughout 
the world, he proceeds to remark, that their wisdom was 
equally conspicuous in their management of things ecclesias- 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



107 



tical. And this brings him to the Act of Parliament latelj 
passed, and which he had the honour of exhibiting before them 
that day. Having put on his spectacles, he proceeds to read 
and expound the preamble to the act; informing them that 
it related to spiritual persons holding farms, and was intended 
to enforce the residence of such persons on their benefices. 
Even the auctioneer himself appears astounded at the singu- 
larity of the thing, and asks, " Where in the world could all 
these spiritual persons have been running to, that it was ne- 
cessary to fetch them back by an Act of parliament, in order 
that they may be enforced to take care of their spiritual con- 
cerns ?" Having descanted fluently and at great length on 
the quality and description of the articles he has to dispose of, in 
doing which, by the bye, he travels not a little out of the record 
as the lawyers say, and gets into a kind of preachment about 
" grievous wolves entering among the people and not sparing 
the flock," and all that ; he at last announces the conditions 
of sale, which are as follows : 

1. That each rector or vicar shall put up his curate to sale, 
as they stand in rotation. First come, first served. 2. That 
each rector or vicar shall be at full liberty without interruption, 
to tell his own story, and afterwards to explain the qualifications 
of his curate. 3. That each curate shall have equal liberty to 
explain for himself, to his own advantage, as far as he may 
think fit, without let, hindrance, or molestation whatever. 4. 
That the auctioneer shall be at full liberty to make use of what- 
ever free remarks he chooses, for the benefit of all parties. 5. 
That each curate shall be disposed of according to the terms, to 
the best bidder; and that they shall be taken with all faults 
which may afterwards be discovered, and be removed by the 
purchaser at his own expense. 6. That all the auction expenses 
shall be paid at the fall of the hammer, if demanded. Having 
thus arranged preliminaries, the sale commenced. 

The first incumbent that presented himself was a Mr. Mean- 
well, who had been in orders twenty years, the first eleven of 
which he was merely a curate, but nine years ago he obtained 



108 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



a vicarage which he must now resign and return again to his 
curacy, the stipend of which was very inadequate to the sup- 
port of his large family. But what most of all grieved him 
was, that he must resign his vicarage to make way for a young 
rector, who was one of the wildest creatures he ever met with. 
He came into the parish the other day to see about his resi- 
dence, with a brace of greyhounds at his horse's heels, and one of 
them followed him into the church ; and, while he was reading 
prayers, the dog reared upon his hind legs, looked all around 
him from the reading-desk, and attempted to jump over, when 
the rector laid hold of him, and, in the midst of his devotions, 
cried, " down, sirrah," while the scene created nothing but dis- 
gust in some, and laughter in others. His first job at the rec- 
tory was to send for the masons and carpenters one Sunday 
evening, to build a set of dog-kennels for his pointers and 
greyhounds, and to repair a stable for his hunters ; and when 
the ^carpenter, having a better conscience than the rector, re- 
fused to come on that day, his remark was, with an oath, he 

could not bear to see people so d saintish^ and that he saw 

no harm in settling matters of that sort when the duty of the 
day was over ! When Mr. Meanwell told him how disagree- 
able it would be for the people who loved good order, to hear 
the yellings of his dogs all the time of their attendance on 
divine worship, as the rectory-house was so near the church ; 
all the reply he made was, that it was heavenly music. 
' Next to him comes Mr. Flesh-and-blood, who tells the 
auctioneer that it is impossible for him to enter upon his story 
till he has had some brandy. Accordingly a bottle is sent for, 
and having drank pretty freely of it in its 7ieat state, " he 
takes off his wig, wipes his steaming head, rubs his hands, and 
cries. Well, Mr. Auctioner, I am now ready to tell the story, 
as it relates to myself and my poor curate." The sequel 
exhibits the picture of an epicure — a gourmand — a glutton, 
who declares that he found it difficult to keep body and soul 
together on six hundred pounds a year — and he honestly con- 
fesses that " he had rather be choked than starved—plenty ;)f 



RKV. ROWLAND HILL. 



109 



victuals and a good cook were, in his opinion, the greatest 
blessings under heaven." But there is a grossness in the 
details respecting this Boniface, which renders it unfit to 
dwell upon, and we pass it over. 

Mr. Leadhead, rector of Giddyton, then presents himself, 
accompanied by his spiritual Jack-a-dandy curate. This 
case, like the preceding, is "too bad" to dwell upon: the 
curate is put up to auction, and sold to an innkeeper for a 
waiter, for which he was considered to be admirably fitted. 

A young rakish-looking rector next came forward, though 
with a considerable degree of confusion and shame. On 
being asked his name, he answered, " Oh, Sir, my name is 
William Wanton, and to tell you the truth, as I have been 
too gay for my cloth, if I could do without my living, I would 
sooner give it up than go back and serve it again." The 
auctioneer, after some little preliminaries, drew out of this 
wretched creature such a dreadful long story of his most vile 
and wanton conduct ; attended also with a detail of such 
different promises of marriage, only made for the basest of 
purposes, and afterwards as cruelly violated as are too 
shocking and indecent to relate. 

To him succeeds Dr. Sacheverell, a political clergyman, 
grandson of the famous divine of that name, who flourished 
in the reign of Queen Anne, and who was tried by the Com- 
mons, and found guilty of preaching a seditious sermon, 
which was ordered to be burnt by the common hangman, and 
he himself suspended from exercising the function of a clergy- 
man for three years. The grandson glories in being descended 
from so respectable a progenitor — a man who was a faithful 
sufierer in so meritorious a cause ! He regards the Act of 
toleration as nothing better than establishing schism by law. 
A curious and not uninteresting discussion ensues between 
the auctioneer and this fiery zealot, who, though he would 
tolerate Jews and Turks, intimates that he should have little 
scruple to hang all the dissenters as vile schismatics, who 
endanger the church. His one grand incontestible argument 



110 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



is, that it is impossible there can be a Christian church, but 
as it is under the successional power of Christian bishops, 
whose orders are equally vahd, let their lives be ever so bad. 
" For his part he would rather receive his holy orders from the 
wickedest bishop upon earth, than from the most righteous 
among the schismatics from our holy and apostolical church*." 
This way of talking being a pitch too high for the creed of 
the auctioneer, the latter warmly opposes it ; the Doctor, in 
consequence, loses all his patience, and began raving at such 
an extraordinary rate, in defence of persecution and his suc- 
cessional episcopacy, that the auctioneer was obliged to cut 
short the controversy by calling him to order, and begged he 
would settle the business with his curate immediately, or he 
would call for the next in rotation. The curate is then called, 
and the account which he gave the auctioneer of the conduct 
of his rector, is very characteristic and amusing. " When he 
came to visit his living," says he, " he would be preaching 
such a set of abusive sermons against sectaries and dissenters 
as drove all the people to go and hear them. With much 
justice, they would observe that they could not tell what good 
they could get by hearing the rector abuse his neighbours for 
their religion, especially as he was not overburdened with it 
himself He would talk about the bishops and the church, 
in his way, by the hour. It is amazing, while he and Canon 
Bonner and Rector Gardiner were over their cards, how they 
would plead for the church, saying, that it would have been 
the best constituted church in all the world, if it had not been 
robbed of so much of its emoluments at the time of the Refor- 
mation. I suppose my rector has been preaching upon the 
divine right of tithes twenty times over. He would be sending 
me sermons to preach, and books to read, all full of the same 
high notions and sentiments in religion as he himself held. 
He was particularly fond of Daubeny's Guide to the Church, 



* This speech was actually made use of by one of the high church 
gentry of the d^j.-^Author. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



Ill 



and ordered me to make extracts from that book, and convert 
them into sermons : then again he sent me such sermons upon 
the eflScacy of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Sup- 
per, so very like the doctrines of the Papists on the same subject, 
especially on the efficacy of the Mass, and extreme unction 
when near death, that a Popish priest who lives in those parts 
actually called upon me, and supposed he could make a con- 
vert of me. He would be sending me over heaps of such 
pamphlets as the Anti- Jacobin Review, and Churchman's 
Magazine, and other books of the same stamp ; and whenever 
1 used to preach any sermons after that style, I was sure to 
offend all the sober part of the people, and drive them to the 
meetings. Oh, Sir, the mere sight of a dissenting meeting- 
house would be sure to put him into a passion ; but it was the 
Methodists that he hates above all others in the town. How 
he would rail at them by the hour together, and with what 
eagerness he would report every story that was hatched against 
them ; whether true or false, it was all one to him !" 

Such is the curate's account of his rector ; and as to him- 
self, he is free enough to confess, that he had no learning, 
and was never intended for a clergyman. " My uncle. Colonel 
Lofty," says he, " who is very intimate with my Rector, meant 
to have brought me up for the army: but he soon found I had 
no taste for that line of life. I was always bent to seek after 
those polite accomplishments, which were more calculated to 
make me shine in the drawing-room, in the ball-room, and the 
parlour, especially among the ladies, than on the field of 
battle. My uncle, therefore, concluded, that though my dis- 
position might stand in the way of promotion in the army, yet 
it might rather be to my advantage than otherwise in my 
preferment in the church. So, my rector, out of respect to 
my uncle, who was as great a man for the church as himself, 
appointed me to the curacy, till I should meet with something 
better. On being asked to specify a little more particularly 
what his accomplishments were, he thus proceeds : 

" Sir, an elegant and graceful movement^ I conceive to be 



112 



MEMOIKS OF THE 



among the first of them. From my childhood I had a dancing 
master, by my mother's peculiar request. She was always 
very fond of irie, as I was, at least in her esteem, a very 
handsome and beautiful child; and you know, Sir, that the 
elegance of the person is never so displayed as in those 
different graceful attitudes required in a ball-room. I know 
not whether I shine most in the minuet, the cotillion, or the 
country dance. Add to this, Sir, my ability in drawing is not 
inconsiderable. I have had the happiness to shine in the 
esteem of many of the ladies in different devices which I 
invented, to adorn their fans ; beside this, my musical abilities 
are very tasty ; on the pianoforte I can play with considerable 
execution; my touches and taste are admired by all; and as 
to the violin, that also I can manage in a manner superior to 
most. And, as to languages, if defective in those that are 
ancient; yet, not so in that modern polite language, the 
French. Sir, in all these accomplishments, I flatter myself 
1 have all the qualifications necessary for the polite, the 
fashionable, and the gay." 

After Mr. Prettyman (which was the curate's name,) had 
favoured the assembly with his speech, says the author, " I. 
thought a very fine gay-looking lady came up to the auctioneer; 
and, after some conversation with him, next entered into an 
agreement with Mr. Prettyman, respecting his terms, which 
was conducted sometimes in English, sometimes m French, 
and intermixed with so many bows and scrapes, and such an 
abundance of affectation on both sides, as set all the company 
into laughter; and, as to myself, I every moment thought in 
my sleep, that this poor negative, though comparatively inno- 
cent creature to his rector, was just going to be transmogrified 
into a monkey. However, I soon discovered that the lady 
whose name was Mrs. Prim, kept a large boarding school, and 
that she was dealing with Mr. Prettyman, as an usher, to teach 
those polite accomplishments to the young ladies of which he 
conceived himself to be so amply possessed; and soon alter- 
wards they both retired from my sight." 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. i]3 

This is amusing enough; but the next lot which cameunder 
the hammer, furnishes some valuable lessons of instruction, on 
which account the reader shall have the whole scene laid 
before him without mutilation or abridgment. 

" After the dismissal of the former gentleman, the auctioneer 
cries out : 

" Auctioneer. I wish that gentleman, with his blue coat 
and yellow metal buttons, and bob-wig, would stand aside 
and make room for the clergy. 

" Gentleman. Why, Sir, I am a clergyman; and came 
here on the business of the day, and it is my turn to be 
attended to next. 

" Aug. But, Sir, if you are a clergyman, how came you 
to fly from your colours, and to dress yourself like a fay- 
man ? 

" Gent. Why, am I not at liberty to renounce my profes- 
sion if I don't like it ? 

" Surely, so, Sir ; but how came you to enter into so 

solemn a profession, when you did not like it ? 

" Gent. Ah, Sir, that has been the lot of many more beside 
myself; but my sceptical uncle must answer for that : and to 
tell you the truth, he has made me as complete a sceptic as 
himself 

Auc. Well, but Mr. Sceptic, if I had been in your case, 
I would rather, as an honest man, have been a shoemaker than 
parson; for a few sceptical notions in the head of a shoe- 
maker, will neither hurt his leather or his workmanship ; but 
when such notions get into the heads of ministers, in my 
opmion, they make a terrible havoc of religion. 

" Sceptic. It may be so; but, as I said before, the sin of 
that must rest with my uncle; for, he, having a small living 
to dispose of, and being the elder brother, threw it out as a 
bone to pick among the younger branches of our family. 

Auc. But, I hope. Sir, you found a little good flesh 
upon the bone your uncle gave you to pick. 

" Sceptic. Yes, Sir, the pickings of that bone amount to 



J 14 MEMOIKS OF THE 

about a hundred and fifty pounds a year; and for the sake 
of that, what oaths and subscriptions was 1 obhged to 
swallow ! 

" Auc. It is well they did not choak your poor conscience 
outright. But, I hope, Sir, what you have to say about oaths 
and subscriptions, will reflect no discredit on the rest of the 
clergy; otherwise I fear it will sadly hurt the credit of the 
sale, if I cannot make out these gentlemen to be men of con- 
science, as respects their solemn engagements and vows ; nor 
yet do I know what we shall have to say of you, if you find 
fault with the doctrines of the established church. 

" Sceptic. Why, don't you remember what I told you of 
my uncle's sentiments? and, as to my father, he was never 
guilty of the sin of thinking in all this world ; so, that being 
first taught to think by my uncle, he directed me to think, 
that whatever others had thought before, was nothing to the 
purpose, and that I was entirely at liberty to think for myself. 

Auc. So is every other man in this land of liberty, 
though your uncle set you a pretty heavy task in the thinking 
way. But, pray, Mr. Sceptic, if you were not satisfied about 
oaths and subscriptions, how came you to think one way and 
act another. 

" JSceptic. Why, Sir, I have been racking my brams and 
conscience a thousand times over, in order to make myself 
believe that 1 did not think one way and act another. Oh, the 
volumes I have been obhged to read over, of the laboured 
productions of the bishops, and the most learned of our clerical 
leaders, to see if any of their inventions would afford me such 
a twist for my judgment, as that I might satisfy my conscience! 

« Auc. Nay, nay, Sir, surely you need not have taken all 
this trouble ; for it seems, you clergy, are directed to subscribe 
the articles ' in their literal and grammatical sense,' by the 
compilers of our articles and liturgy; and I should suppose 
fhev knew how to wxite plain English and common sense, a^ 
well as ourselves. The difficulty, in my humble opinion, is 
not in explaining the articles but in explaining them away 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 215 

Sceptic. Yes, Sir, but then they did not appear to me 
to mean what 1 wished them to mean ; and you would not 
have had me hastily to cast away my living, for a few hard 
strains on that score. 

" Auc. But, Sir, if mstead of reading over the writings of 
all these bishops and doctors, you had candidly compared the 
articles and doctrines of the church with the pure meaning of 
the bible, you might have rectified your judgment, and saved 
your conscience at an easier rate; for, surely, it cannot be 
doubted, but that our first reformers gave themselves up to the 
study of the scriptures in a very extraordinary manner: and 
that they were men of great piety, integrity, and zeal. 

Sceptic. So 2/ou may think, Sir; but manv of us think 
quite otherwise; that they were men of a very enthusiastical 
spirit, and were terribly warped by the dogmas of Calvin in 
all their doctrines. Why did they not leave us more to the 
dictates of reason and the light of nature; and that each of us 
might have a little room to think for ourselves. 

" Auc. Why, they took all this pains, that they might 
instruct the clergy, ' to avoid diversities of opinions, and for 
the establishing consent touching true religion.' Could they 
do any thing better 1 

" Sceptic. Could they do any thing worse ? 
Auc. Oh, Sir, for the credit of the clergy, you should 
not bolt out things in such an unguarded manner. By and 
bye, you will make it out, that when they subscribe a creed 
Uterally and grammatically, in one sense, they literally and 
grammatically mean it in another. But, was it not in the 
power, at least of some of those divines, to give any satisfactory 
light into your conscience, to assist you through those turn- 
ings and windings in point of subscription ? 

'' Sceptic. Yes; and a strange light it proved; for, it 
bewildered me more than ever. Is it possible that they should 
settle the judgments of others, till such times as they came to 
some settlement among themselves ? 

" Auc. Why, Sir, I hope you don't mean to make it out. 

i2 , ' 



j^g MEMOIRS OF THE 

fflat they contradict and rvin foul of each other in their settle- 
moid ol these matters ? , .i. i j 

ticeptk. How could they do otherwise, when they had to 
turn about the avowed notions and doctrines of Calvin to mean 

iust the reverse ? , , 7 ^ • 

" J«c To be sure it must have required some hard strain- 
ins to prove, that articles designed to banish a diversity ot 
opinions, were meant to co«.». a diversity of opmions, 
Td that they were to be so framed as to set forth two opposite 
1 ite same time; if it be proved that they have left 
matters Miful, it never can be proved that they were to 
Tstblish coLt touching true religion, as there must ot 
course be a diversiiy of opinions about matters that are 

"""'t* Sceptic. Yes, Sir; and from these principles I found I 
had to do my duty, in a church in which I was obbged to 
Infers, Sunday after Sunday, that ' we had done tliose things 
ha t w ought not to have done, and left undone those things 
that we ou:ht to have done, and that there was no health in 
us' and 'that the remembrance of our sms was grievous 
u^'to us,' while I was countenancing thereby the enthus.ast.cal 
vant of many whose sentiments I utterly abhor. 

" Auc Well, Sir, from your views of matter^, 1 don t 
wonder why you have changed the colour of your clothes. 

« Scepic. Who, in the name of common sense, could 
subscribe not only to Calvin's gloomy notions of the fell ot 
ml but all his Ler opinions, which are evidently built on 
Tformer; such as justification by faith alone, throwing all 
our lood ;orksout of the question; and that other areola 
against our notions of free-will, so far as we have any And 
what stuff has been foisted into the articles on predestmation 
and election; on some worl.s being done before justification 
and on others being done after justification. Who, m tne 
name of wonder and common sense, could take m ana under- 
stand such jargon as all this ? . » 
- Aw^. I am afraid. Sir, from what you sav, tnat tne 



r^V' KEV. ROWLAND HILL. Il7 

church has been ca much greater plague to your conscience.^ 
than of profit to your pocket. 

Sceptic. So I have really found it; but I tried all in 
vain to make my conscience chime in with all the chimes that 
have been rung on this subject to the utmost of my power. I 
tried also some other classes of these modern interpreters, 
that, * the articles of religion were only articles of peace and 
of general consent:' that if we were but enemies to popery, 
anabaptists, and every species of dissenters, that was quite 
enough; and further, that they irere only to be understood 
' in any sense that the present governors of the church chose 
to impose upon them ;' so that they were actually capable of 
obtaining ' a new and acquired sense,' as the wind might tack 
about from time to time ; and that therefore we were left at 
entire liberty^ while we were boimd down by a positive sub- 
scription to certain articles of faith, to make ' new improvements 
in divinity,' according to our own speculative views of matters ; 
and that all the young divines were to swalloAv down these 
oaths and subscriptions on the credit of the old ones, who had 
gone before them. Now, to swallow all this, my conscience 
should be at least as wide as the Gulph of Venice. 

Auc. By your account, Sir, doctors differ most marvel- 
lously on these points. I think they should have settled 
matters more decidedly among themselves, before they had 
ventured to make out a settlement for the consciences of 
others. 

" Sceptic. What my poor brains and conscience have 
suffered on this occasion, no one can tell. One bishop says, 
though our reformers were certainly Calvinists, yet they 
framed the articles with two meanings to them, for and against 
their own sentiments ! Another says, that while they wrote 
the articles touching the consent of true doctrine, they may be 
taken on either side of the question, on neither side of the 
question, or on both sides of the question. Then another 
bishop bolts it out contrary to all who ever wrote before him, 
aod asserts it that these Calvinistic articles are to be under- 



118 



MEMOIRS OF THK 



stood as being entirely Arminian ; and, that whosoever does 
not subscribe to these articles thus transformed into the 
acknowledged vice versa sense, contrary to the original mean- 
ing according to the acknowledgment of other bishops, ought 
to be kicked out of tha church, or kept out of the church, all the 
days of his life. 

" Auc, Why, then, upon a short review of matters, it 
seems to amount to this. Some suppose, that though the 
reformers wrote in one sense, it might be taken in another ; 
others that they were meant in two senses, the direct opposite 
to each other ; and a third, that the sense of them is but one, 
but then the direct opposite to their obvious meaning; and a 
fourth set have made it out very conveniently, that they may 
mean any thing, every thing, or nothing, as all may like best. 

Sceptic. I have tried them all round again and again, 
and for the sake of my living I have been trying to believe 
every thing ; and now I have brought myself to such a pitch, 
that I believe nothing. Till now I have got my parishioners 
to be content with single duty, so that I could hire a clergy- 
man from a neighbouring church to serve both his church and 
mine. By this means, having but little to do, I kept my con- 
science tolerably easy; but now, if I was to go to my living, I 
must preach and pray, as though I believed every thing, when, 
the fact is, I believe nothing: so that my determination is to 
give it all up ; and as I have no curate to dispose of, I am 
come here to dispose of myself" 

Immediately a bookseller bade for him, promising that if he 
would turn writer for different magazines, and other periodical 
publications, they might make a do of it together. The 
Auctioneer observed, that he had certainly changed professions 
for the best; and i^ scores of the same sort were to follow his 
example, the church would be delivered from one of those evils 
under which she so deeply groans. 

So much for this sceptical clergyman, of whose stamp it 
seems there are scores (it is to be feared hu7idreds!) in the 
reformed Church of England. In a note on one part of the 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



119 



narrative, Mr. ;Hill says, " I once thought to have made cor- 
rect reference, to all the shifts and evasions brought forward 
by Mr. Sceptic, as they must to the generality of readers, ap- 
pear too preposterous, as genuine quotations, from any serious 
author ot the day. But as Mr. Overton's treatise, entitled 
« The True Churchman,' sums up all the controversy in a 
point, and refers to all authors on both sides of the question, I 
refer my readers to that publication." In this way Mr. Hill 
at once strips the subject of all just pretence to the character 
of fiction or romance, and stamps it with the verdict of histori- 
cal truth. And who can view the subject in that light, as a 
plain narrative of what actually exists in the Church of Eng- 
land, but must be petrified with wonder and amazement at his 
attachment to such a mass of corruption ! The truth is, that 
all national establishments of Christianity are Anti- christian, 
whether Papal, Episcopal, or Presbyterian ; they are each and 
all constituted on unscriptural principles, and no modifications 
which either Mr. Hill or a convocation of the clergy, for which 
he sometimes expresses his longings — no nor an ecumenical 
council could alter their nature, and convert them into Chris- 
tian churches, though there maybe Christians among all of 
them. But such persons resemble the captives in Babylon, 
and the Lord's voice is caUing to them to flee out of the city 
and deliver every man his own soul. But to return from this 
digression — 

After Mr. Sceptic had vanished out of sight a Mr. Wildman 
came forward — "the same who rode his own horse against 
another reverend brother at a horse race the other day, and, 
according to report, the stirrup broke during the race, and he 
had enough to do to swear sufficiently loud to get the people 
out of the way, lest he should ride over them." He candidly 
owns to the auctioneer that that was one of the many tricks be- 
tween him and his poor curate, whom he was obliged to part 
with, though he was " a delightful blade !" The Auctioneer 
replies, " Well, well : I dare say some one may want him for 
a jockey or a groom, and I am sure he is much fitter for that 



120 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



than for a parson. But it is well you did not break your neck 
wWn y ou turned jockey." 

" No matter, to my mind," says Jack Wildman, "if I had: 
for then I should have avoided ail these calamities that are 
now come upon me; and could J. have foreseen all this, my 
uncle should never have driven me to relinquish my inclina- 
tions for the army, for the sake of the church. I had rather 
have been transported to Botany Bay a thousand times, than 
be banished to that dreary village, where there is not a market 
town within eight miles of it ; in fact it is one of the stupidest 
places I was ever at in all my life. I am sure I shall soon be 
hipt to death! Farewell visits to Bath, Cheltenham,. Brighton 
— ^no more plays, balls, cards, routs, assemblies, and masque- 
rades. And oh, the delightful amusements of the chase and the 
turf! Had I been Rector of Newmarket, I think I could have put 
up with it ; but who can bear to live in such a horrid, dull place 
as that ? Why, the very sight of the dreary old Rectory is 
enough to fill one with the vapours. — It was all my uncle's 
fault; for he told me when I wanted to go into the army, that 
if I would but take holy orders, after I was inducted into the 
living, I should have nothing to do but to pay the curate, and 
live upon the tythes, while 1 should be left at liberty to enjoy 
such charming free quarters, as I had at Lord Rakeshame's 
and Sir John Rackett's, aye, and twenty more places be- 
sides." 

The curate is now introduced, than whom there is not a 
better judge of dogs and horses round the country. The auc- 
tioneer supposes that he will do capitally for a huntsman or groom ; 
and asks to be favoured with a specimen of the whoop and the 
holloa, as though he was in full chase, galloping after a pack 
of hounds — "on which he shouted away in such an extraordi- 
nary manner, after the common language of the chase and the 
turf, as almost awakened the dreamer out of a sound sleep : 
he then struck up a hunting song, which he touched off with 
much humour and grace. The consequence was that he soon 
found a purchaser from a young rakish wild-looking country 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



121 



squire, who had no sooner made the purchase, than another 
asks what he should give him for his bargain, as he was in 
want of such another young fellow for a groom ? The auc- 
tioneer immediately interfered and said, that by what he could 
learn, there were dozens of the same stamp to be disposed of, 
and that now if the public wanted game-keepers, huntsmen, 
grooms, or sportsmen, of all sorts, ages, and sizes, they might 
pick and chuse ; and that he conceived they would go very 
cheap, as it was his opinion they would do much better for 
such occupations than for the church. 

" Many reflections also were made by the Auctioneer, as it 
related to the absurdity of supposing that such sort of ministers 
should prove proper drivers of different dissentients out of their 
parishes, while their time was thus taken up in driving after 
their hounds, and in driving away after every horse-race, and 
all such sort of sports within their reach, rendering themselves 
so completely contemptible in the eyes of the people thereby, 
and arming the cause of infidelity itself with many a weapon 
against the sacred cause of Christianity at large ; though such 
sort of Christianity has no more to do with that of the Bible, 
than such sort of arguments in the hands of ignorant and malig- 
nant Deists have to do with common honesty or common 
sense." 

An angry looking Rector appeared next to come forvvard, 
whose name was Grinder: and thus he commenced his 
harangue, " This cursed Act of Parliament has brought me 
into such troubles as I shall never be able to surmount. While 
I was a poor curate, in order that I might better myself, I be- 
came a writer for government, and I had twice to change sides 
before I could obtain a Chancellor's living. As for preaching, 
I confess I hate that abominably, so that I never meant to 
trouble myself on that head but as little as ever I could help. 
Still a good living is a good thing, and in my opinion, that 
man is a fool who does not get as much from it as ever he 
can. I have no notion of being squeamishly blind to one's 
own interest as some are : so that after I had obtained my 



122 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



living, I thought that I should have nothing to do but to raise 
my tithes, and live away upon the spoils, and then continue 
my old occupation as a writer for the government, till I could 
procure a still better living. 

" Auctioneer. And so you thought nothing of the evils of 
covetousness, but meant to turn your spiritual profession into 
a worldly trade. I wonder you did not recollect how sharply 
the Bible reproves the sin of filthy lucre in a minister, and how 
such are described by the prophet, as 'watchmen that are 
blind, all ignorant, all dumb dogs that cannot bark, sleeping, 
lying down, loving to slumber; yea, that are greedy dogs that 
never have enough; shepherds that cannot understand, and 
that they all look to their own vvays, every one for his gain 
from his quarter ;' and no wonder that such belly-god parsons 
as these should cry, ' Come ye, I will fetch wine, and we will 
fill ourselves with strong drink, and to-morrow shall be as this 
day, and much more abundant' " 

This last speech nettles Rector Grinder not a little, and 
some very warm altercation ensues. The former tells the 
auctioneer, that it is no great proof of his civility to produce 
such scraps out of the Bible, and quote them against his con- 
duct — that he seems to know how to exhibit as an excellent 
extemporaneous preacher while his rostrum answers admirably 
for a pulpit. To which the other answers, that if he were to 
hold forth against the abominable tricks of wicked priests in 
all ages, and among all sects, he should preach a longer ser- 
mon a hundred times over, than ever the rector did in his life. 

He then enquires for the curate, and how he should dispose 
of him ? " Instantly, a poor mean looking abortion started up, 
with a hump at back, a projecting breast, a pair of bandy legs, 
and an uncommon twist in one of his eyes ; wnile. as might be 
supposed, being ricketty from his childhood, he had a head 
sunk between his round shoulders, preposterously large, and 
his under-jaw projected above the upper at a considerable dis- 
tance. The female part of the audience started back with 
affright, and the Auctioneer having interposed to allay their 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



123 



tears, Rector Grinder thus proceeded to expatiate on his 
nistory and merits. 

" When I was presented by the Chancellor to the living, I 
was obliged, though sadly against the grain, to do the duty for 
awhile : but, however, this was no disadvantage to me, for im- 
mediately I raised the marriage fees from five shillings to half 
a guinea. 

" Auc, Pray, Sir, had you any authority to take that step ? 
I should not wonder if some poor people were to live in sad 
adultery and wickedness by such an extortionate demand. 

" Grinder. Sir, I shall never lose an increased fee, when I 
can get one ; and as to tythes, that I might know the utmost 
of their value, I immediately took them all in kind, though 
this brought on quarrels and law-suits in abundance, and it 
was on this account I met with my curate. 

" Auc, It seems somewhat odd, that you should meet with 
your curate by quarrelling with your parishioners about your 
tythes. Pray, Sir, how came that about? 

" Grinder. Why, being determined to take all the tythes 
I could get, even to an apple or an egg, a potatoe or a pail of 
milk, I found that while I was thus getting all I could out of 
the pockets of the parishioners, the lawyers were just as eager to 
pick the pockets of us all in return while we employed them. 

" Auc. What a pick-pocket world we live in ! But you 
must explain yourself a little further, Sir. • 

" Grinder. Why, Sir, while in converse with one of my 
lawyers, I found that crooked S looking gentleman as you call 
him, a writer in his office ; and when he came with different 
messages, I discovered him to be one of the most cunning, 
deep, shrewd fellows I ever met with in all my life ; and in 
order to avail myself of his cunning, I got the late Bishop 
Demas*, with whom I was intimate, to ordain him, and then I 
made him my curate 

* Mr. Hill adds, in a note, "This bishop, I think, died about nine years 
ago : may we never have a successor of similar principles." Now all this 
shews that he was painting from real life, and not from fiction ! 



124 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



" Auc. And SO, Sir, you procured for yourself a curate and 
lawyer by the same stroke. To be sure there was no moral 
evil in his natural infirmities. 

" Grinder. Yes, and an excellent hand he has proved. He 
knows much more about tythe-laws than the deepest lawyers 
in the country ; and a chaiming spy I found him to peep about 
into all the gardens, hen-roosts, and hog-styes, that I might 
get all I could. Since I have had my living, I have had no 
less than sixteen law-suits with my parishioners, and no man 
upon earth understood the quirks and quibbles, and evasions 
of the law, better than my curate. 

''^ Auc. A fine character for a parson, truly; but I think 
you would both have acted more consistent with your profes- 
sion, if you had lived more peaceable and quiet among your 
neighbours. — But why. Sir, should you wish to part with your 
curate ? Perhaps you may soon have some fresh law squabbles 
with your parishioners, and then how will you do without 
him ? 

" Grinder. Oh, no. Sir! I cannot afford it; in most of my 
law-suits I have been on the losing side of the question. 
Though, while I have been a considerable loser, yet nobody 
has been a gainer but the lawyers themselves. As, therefore, 
I must return to my living, and give up the profits of a farm I 
hold at a distance, I am under the absolute necessity of part- 
ing with my curate." The latter is accordingly put up to 
auction and purchased by lawyer Quibble, who has no objec- 
tion to his shape and make — neither has the curate to return 
again to his former occupation, for he honestly declares that he 
has no more impressions of religion than had the old covetous 
bishop who ordained him ! 

At this part of the sale, the auctioneer seems to have had 
his patience exhausted, and cried out, " If I have nothing but 
such church rubbish to dispose of, I shall relinquish my place, 
and leave my clerk to finish the sale" — which introduces a con- 
versation between the Auctioneer and his Clerk, who sat writ- 
ing at a little desk underneath. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



185 



" Clerh. Sir, according to my private list, tJiere are yet 
many more of the bad ones to be disposed of ; but I dare say, 
if you please, we can contrive to bring forward some of tlie 
good ones next ; though I fear, as times go, there are but few 
of them : only if you could but dispose of the curate of the 
Rev. Mr. Toadeater, who got his living from Lord Lusting's, 
for marrying one of his housemaids, because she was pregnant 
by one of his sons : — and the curate of the Rev. Mr. Lick- 
spittle, who got his living by saying and doing all that he was 
bidden by Samuel Gamble, Esq. One of these reverend gen- 
tlemen is a fine dashing bold blade, and wishes for a post in 
the army, and the other having already had something to do 
in the quackery line, means to propose himself as a doctor 
and man-midwife. 

Auc. Well, well, if the bad state of the patronage of the 
church does not prove its destruction, I shall wonder. We 
well know what a horrid mess they have made of religion in 
France, and I am sure we are going after them as fast as we 
can; but when they are disposed of, who is to come next? 

" Clerh. Why, there is the Rev. Mr. ChafFey, who got his 
living by dancing about to all the plays, balls, horse-races, &c, 
with Sir Simon Shallow and his daughters ; and then there is 
Dr. Cringer and his curate, Mr. Mean, who wants ■ 

" Auc. (Interrupts) Don't tell me any more of the wants 
of any of them. I'll have some of the good ones brought for- 
ward next: the room has been so crowded with the bad ones, 
that I am almost suffocated with the stench; reach me my 
snuff-box, and let me see some good ones immediately. If we 
were as badly furnished in the army and the navy as we are 
in the church, the nation would be ruined." 

The Clerk, perceiving his employer so chaffed, calls out for 
Mr. Upright, who came forward and had a long-winded story 
to tell about his rector and himself, and his parishioners who 
demurred to pay their tythes, and all that ; but as his story is 
not particularly interesting, we pass it over to attend to the 
last piece of scenery. 



t2^ MEMOIRS OF THE 

A rector and his curate, attended with several others who 
seemed to be persons of credit and respect ; and who, as it ap- 
peared, came to bid for the curate. 

" Aue. Pray, Mr. Rector, will you favour me with your 
name ? 

" Hector. Sir, my name is Careless. 

" Auc. Careless ! why I think you are almost all of the 
careless family which we have had to day. What, am I never 
to have done disposing of such trumpery 1 I thought something 
better was to be brought forward before we finished. As I de- 
clared before, so I declare again, if I have not some better 
stuff to dispose of, I shall give the business over to my clerk. 

" Careless, Why, Sir, I am not going to dispose of myself 
but my curate ; and I am sure he is righteous enough. 

" Auc. And perhaps too righteous for many of your fra- 
ternity. 

" Careless. Too righteous for most of us, I honestly confess ; 
he has quite ruined the parish by his religion. 

" Auc. What ! can a parish be ruined by religion ? 

" Careless. Why, there will be no living among them ; he 
has made them so saintish and so strict. 

" Auc. It seems then you are to go back to your living, to 
undo all that your curate has been doing, and to render them 
light and easy about matters of religion. 

" Careless. Yes, yes, I find I shall have a fine job of it. If 
I could have foreseen that such a law would ever have been 
framed, which binds such a drudgery of religion on all our 
backs, I would never have gone into orders. I wonder what 
the bishops could have been at : one would think that they were 
all blind together. Have not we as good a right to be as long 
absent from our livings, as some of them are from their dioceses, 
though they have such comfortable palaces provided for their 
respective residence, leaving the worUng clergy to fagg at all 
the offices of religion, and to preach Sunday after Sunday ." 
And pray how often do they preach ? ■ 

" Auc. And who knows but another act of Parpameat may 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



127 



drive them about to preacK like Bishop Paul, and Bishop Peter, 
and Bishop Timothy, all round their diocese; and with the 
same zeal that the bishops at the time of the Reformation went 
from town to town, and to different market-crosses far and 
wide ? and then they will have quite as much to do as the most 
laborious among the worhing clergy of the day ; and woe be- 
tide the Methodists and Dissenters when this event takes 
place. 

" Careless. Yes, yes, but we have no notion in these days 
of giving ourselves all this unnecessary trouble about nobody 
knows what or why. If I could have foreseen all this, I should 
never have suffered my curate to drive on at such a religious 
rate. Why, he has established meetings in every hamlet all 
over the parish, where he makes his private preachments and 
teaches the people to say their prayers : yes, and even on the 
week day, he calls all the people together at the church, to at- 
tend his evening lecture, and there you'll hear the bell go dong, 
dong, dong, for an hour, as though it was a funeral. I hate 
people to be so over-righteous , and as to myself, I don't want 
to stand a better chance for heaven than the rest of my neigh- 
bours. 

" Auc. It is a pity that any of you clergy should leave the 
salvation of the soul as a matter of mere chance. I think I 
shall turn parson myself, if I can get some good-natured bishop 
to ordain me ; and then I'll tell you two or three good texts 
from which I will make my sermons : " Give all diligence to 
make your calling and election sure.^ And again : ' Work 
out your own salvation with fear and trembling.' ' Strive to 
enter in at the strait gate, for many will seek to enter in, and 
shall not be able, for broad is the way that leadeth to destruc- 
tion, and many there be which go in thereat; because strait 
is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and 
few there be that find it.' And further, as it respects thes6 
meetmgs for prayer, which your curate is so fond of, could I 
7fW)o«e better texts than some such as these, if you want to 
preacn against them ? ' Be instant in prayer.' ' Pray without 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



cieasing.' ' In every thing, by prayer and supplication, make 
yaur requests known unto God.' 

" Careless. I cannot conceive, Sir, that it is necessary any 
bisnops need to ordain you ; for it should appear as though 
you would make as capital an extem'poraneous preacher as my 
curate, without any orders. 

" Aug. I thank you, Sir, for having such a good' opinion ot 
me, and on this account I shall beg leave to present you with 
another text or two, for I fear you will be rather bare of ser- 
mons when you are brought back to take care of your flock. 
You had best put your head to work, to show the impropriety 
of your curate's zeal from this text: ' Be instant in season, out 
of season:' for every real Christian minister should spend till 
he he spent in the sacred work ; and then, Sir, I think you 
might continue the business admirably from this text ; If the 
righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the 
sinner appear V 

" Careless. And I have no doubt but that my curate would 
thunder out such a peal of hell and damnation fro fn those texts 
for a full hour at least, till he had bawled himself quite hoarse. 

" Auc. So, I suppose, you are pleased to caricature the 
pious zeal of your worthy curate in his mode of delivery. But 
pray. Sir, how do lawyers plead at the bar ? and how do players 
act their part 1 The lawyer pleads the cause which is merely 
temporary, and the player sets oiF the cause that is entirely 
imaginary. Are the ministers of God, therefore, who are en- 
gaged about matters which are eternal, to give us nothing but 
a little unmeaning mumble of mere heathenish morality by 
way of a Sermon ? And yet. Sir, notwithstanding all your ob- 
jections, I dare say your curate has frighted many out of their 
sins. 

" Careless. And suppose he has ; what good can come of 
Jhat ? 

" Auc. Why, this is speaking out with a vengeance. 
Careless. As I speak, so I think, Sir. The world, in m 
opinion^ would be in a state of entire stagnation, if there wer 



SgV. ROWLAND HILL. |29 

none of those principles so vehemently preached agamst by 
^ome, as are generally called ambition, pride, anger, revenge, 
and other constitutional desires that are interwoven in om na^ 
tures. Why, any body may perceive, these are the principles 
which keep the world in motion. 

" Azic. And pray, Sir, what is your opinion further ? Did 
these principles originate with God or the devil? 

Careless. I shan't tell you all I think on that score ; but 
I am sure of this, if these principles were not in moderation 
brought into practice, we should be all stupified. 

" Auc. And so, if Ve are proud, angry, revengeful, and am- 
bitious in moderation, it may all do very well. I did not know 
till now, that a moderate degree of evil should produce a mo- 
derate degree of good. I suppose. Sir, you can never be afraid 
of going to the devil when you die ! 

" Careless. How came you think of that? 
Auc. Why you plead his cause so excellently well that 
there can be no doubt but that he must love you dearty and 
that when you go to him, he will certainly allot you the'bpst 
accommodations m his power. But, in my opinion, the world 
would be kept much more active by good principles than by 
bad ones; for while the former tend only to purify, the latter 
tend only to pollute. Will not the principles of benevolence, 
pity, gratitude, founded upon love, pure and holy love to God 
and love to man f ,r God's sake, when put into action by fer- 
vent zeal, produce activity in abundance? In my humble 
opinion, wherever we live, we are sure to see enough of human 
woe to make our hearts bleed with sorrow and grief; and if in 
the spirit of true Christianity we can devote our time to alle- 
viate such miseries as these, we shall not want such principles 
as you have been recommending to excite in us sufficient mo- 
tives for activity. I question if such as are called forth to 
counteract evil, have not quite as much to do as those who are 
so busy m promoting it*. 

tween an officei xn the navy and a doctor in divinify. 

K 



jgQ MEMOIRS OF THE 

« Careleu. Sir, I did not come to hear you prate about ve • 
lioion, but to part with my curate. As matters are, reside I 
must, and then I may as well do the duty myself as pay tbe 
curate. 

« Auc Why, as you seem to like to hve at your ease, 
I suppose you will still want a curate, or the drudgenes 
belonging to your religious profession will prove a terrible 

burden. , , . 

» Careleu. Not they ; no man can get through the service 
quicker than myself. Even when I was at the University, 1 
could challenge many of the clergy, that I would beat them 
hollow in reading prayers, though I gave them down to Pontius 
Pilate in the Creed* : and as for my sermons, ,t never takes 
me more than ten minutes to read the longest of them. I can 
dispatch the whole of it in three quartei-s of an hour, and that 
comes round but ouce a week. , , w 

" Axw. 1 wonder you could bear so long with a curate that 
did so much when it is your design to do so little. 

" Careless. Why, he was not half so righteous when I first 
took him, till he got acquainted with another clergyman of the 
same strict stamp, who soon made him as mad after religion as 
himself But while I could live at a distance, it was no trouble 
to me, whatever might be the foohsh fancies of religion they a 
had among themselves; therefore I thought tliey might all 
please themselves while I would please myself But now I am 
oblio-ed to reside there, I never shall be able to bear it. I shall 
soon put a stop to all their prayings and preachings, and lec- 

turino-s, when I come into the parish. 

«^«c Tliese are fine resolutions, Sir, for a parson, i sup- 
pose you mean as soon as you get to your living, to scatter the 
congregation as fast as you can. „ ^ , , j 

■^T Careless. Aye, and the sooner the better ; for, 1 am told 
there is no going to church, unless you submit to be half poi- 



* A reverend gentleman now lives at one of our Universities, wlio ha« 
obtained the nick-name of Pontius Pilate for the same boast. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 331 

son^d hj a mob of Methodists and Dissenters which he has 
diawn from far and wide, to attend upon his pioiis harangues, 

" Auc. But I thought the design of the present Act was to 
do as your curate has done, to fill the church and drain the 
meetings ; but your plan, it seems, is to drain the church and 
fill the meetings. 

" Careless. With all my heart ; the more others do, the less 
I shall have to do. But if I should be obliged to follow and 
fag after my curate, in all his religious rambles, I should soon 
be tired out of my life. I am sure, however, that they will 
need none of my instructions after his ; for I am told he would 
not let any of them live without a Bible in their houses, as far 
as he could help it. As for my own part, I cannot see w^iat I 
can want a Bible for in my house, while I am sure to meet 
with one at the church*. Besides, I hear that several of my 
parishioners, and some of them are parish officers, mean to pur- 
chase my curate, and set him up against me. Well, well, let 
them have him with all my heart. Thej shall do as they like, 
and I'll do as I like : and so they may take him for a groat." 

Here ends the history of Mr. Careless, the representative of 
a no inconsiderable portion of the clergymen of Mr. Hill's 
favourite protege, the established church. In the sequel, we are 
sagely instructed how it is that such doings m the church con- 
ti-ibute to form dissenting bodies out of it Two or three 
influential persons who had derived benefit from the curate's 
ministry, are sorely distressed at the thoughts of his removal, 
and they consequently agree together to buHd a chapel for him, 
wliere they may still hear him preach, and as he is cordially 
attached to them, a dissenting interest is formed in the place. 

That such things often are, we know to be true : but Mr. Hill 



* Such is the low ebb of carelessness and inattention to which the state 
of things is reduced, that, to my certain knowledge, many of these thought- 
less creatures, though sent to the Univeraity to be educated for holy 
orders, had not even a Bible in their rooms : while others of them, when 
n.tired to their livings, had not one even in their houses; so that there 
IS nothing exaggerated in the remark of Mr. Careless 

K 2 



132 MEMOIRS OF THE 

was not so uninformed regarding the fundamental principles of 
dissent, as to suppose that the want of a gospel ministry in the 
establishment is the only basis of nonconformity. Was every 
pulpit appertaining to the Church of England filled by an 
evangelical clergyman, our objections to it would still remain 
as great as ever. Its entire fabric and constitution, from first 
to last, is a merely human device, founded on unscriptural 
principles, in flat opposition to the will and wisdom of the King 
of Zion ; it is a creature of the state, supported by the state, 
and can any day be dissolved by the state, and reduced to its 
primitive nothingness. " Let the charge of making dissenters 
rest with them," says Mr. Hill, " who drive the people from 
the established church by their coiTupted doctrmes, and still 
more corrupted lives. I believe there are a thousand times 
more dissenters made by the bad lives of the clergy, than ever 
were made by the good conduct and preaching of the dissen- 
ters*." This is a point not easily settled, nor is it worth dis- 
putino-. It only deserves notice, as showing how forgetful or 
inattentive the good man was to the true grounds of dissent, 
which arise out of the very nature of Christ's kingdom, as a 
constitution of things, spiritual and heavenly in its nature, 
oricxin, end, and design, its principles, laws, and administration— 
an economy totally dissimilar to all the forms of human rulet- 
The evils and abuses which he so feelingly bewails as marring 
the beautv,and detracting from the usefulness of the establish- 
ment, are not merely incidental or adventitious ; they are 
ino-rained in its very constitution as a compound of things tem- 
poral and spiritual, secular and heavenly, and must be com- 
mon, more or less, to every modification of it, whether Papal, 
Episcopal, or Presbyterian. But, we shall dismiss this singular 
''Sale of Curates," by allowing Mr. Hill to tender his own 



* Sale of Curates- p. 104. 

t See Dr Wardlaw's late Sei-mon, entitled, " Civil Estal)lislimeiits 
Christianity, tried by tlieir only authoritative Test, the Word of Go 
Sold by Hamilton Adams, and Co. London, 1833. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



133 



apology for the unaccountable exj>osk, which he has made of his 
mother's nakedness, and his thus putting her to shame ! 

He informs his readers that some violent knocking at the 
door awoke him out of his sleep, and thus terminated his 
dream : on which he thus proceeds : 

" I can assure the reader that my dream was not laid before 
the public, without some consideration and consultation, as it 
respects the propriety of such a step. Apologies sound mean, 
as the apologist seems to suppose he has done wrong and begs 
pardon. But according to the more correct meaning of the 
word, a Vindication of such publication shall now be attempted. 

" It has a cowardly appearance, when a person wishes to be 
anonymous. Dr. Witherspoon, one of the first writers of the 
age, a minister of the established church of Scotland, wrote his 
Ecclesiastical Characteristics, a satire on the declining and 
depraved state of the clergy belonging to their national estab- 
lishment, though much less in transgressions than those of our 
own; and on that subject he chose to be anonymous, that 
people might not prejudge the cause, by a knowledge of the 
author. Though few can pretend to equal him as a writer : 
yet as far as this I follow his steps. I have, in a measure, 
adopted his title, and, for the same reasons, choose to be anony- 
mous. 

" I next observe, that I conceive the greatest national bless- 
ing the land enjoys, is that of the establishment of the Chris- 
tian Religion. The state patronizes various forms, according 
to the will of the majority in different parts. We have Epis- 
copacy in England and Ireland ; Presbyterianism in Scotland, 
and Popery in Canada. This I conceive to be candid, as religion 
cannot be settled by the mandates of the state, but by the con- 
science of individuals, and against this no one has a right to 
complain, while the minority are eq*ually protected, as is the 
case under the constitutional liberties of the land. All state per- 
secutions, for the sake of an exclusive religion, are absurd and 
abominable. My sentiments therefore are, that the platform of 
the British national establishment is a good one \ I wish for her 



134 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



reformation, but not for her demolition. Out of candour and 
respect to establishments, had 1 been a native of the north, I 
would have been a national conformist to their established 
church, though there are some defects among them as among 
ourselves. The author believes that no prescriptive form 
is established in the New Testament church, though in the 
most undecided manner, her essential doctrines and the holy 
effects and consequences on our entire devotedness to God 
are fully revealed." 

Such was Rowland Hill's view of this important matter, and 
most assuredly had it been accordant with truth, or the leading 
scope and design of the New Testament, we had never heard 
of Antichrist, the man of sin, the son of perdition, sitting in 
the church or temple of God, changing times and laws, and 
arrogating to himself divine honours. If all forms of church 
government are alike agreeable to the Christian legislator — if 
he have prescribed no one established form to serve as the 
pattern or rule for his churches to walk by, and by which to 
regulate their public worship and all their social practices — if 
Episcopacy in England — Presbyterianism in Scotland — and 
Popery in Canada are equally sanctioned by the New Testa- 
ment, Christianity must be a very compliant religion indeed, 
and the King of Zion very regardless of the order of his king- 
dom, or the conduct of his subjects. But far from us be such 
sentiments concerning him — the imputation is highly deroga- 
tory to his honour and dignity ; he was as faithful, as a Son, 
over his own house, as Moses of old was as a servant over the 
house of God. These unworthy sentiments run through the 
whole of Mr. Hill's published pieces, but they are dishonouring 
to the character of God our Saviour, and ought to be opposed. 
Having recently mentioned with approbation Dr. Wardlaw's 
Sermon on Civil Establishments of Christianity, I shall here 
introduce a quotation from that very masterly production, as 
being completely in point. 

" It is not an uncommon sentiment, that the original con- 
stitution of the primitive church was not designed to be 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



135 



permanent, but was adapted to tlie circumstances of its early 
condition, and left to be accommodated, in subsequent times, 
to such changes as might arise in its situation and prospects. 
In reply to every such allegation, we ask, in the first place. 
Has the great Head of the church, in any part of the inspired 
record of his will, given us even the remotest hint of such an 
intention 1 Where is the sanction for such an innovating 
interference? — with whom is this sanction lodged? — to what 
extent does it reach? Unless the divine permission can be 
pointed out, or something can be shown in the constitution of 
the Church which implies or necessitates it, we cannot but 
pronounce every liberty of the kind a profane usurpation, an 
intrusion into the province of Christ himself. But neither 
can the permission be produced, nor any such necessity estab- 
lished. The idea, indeed, of the necessary accommodation of 
ecclesiastical institutes to varying circumstances, has had its 
origin entirely in misconceptions of the nature of the church 
of Christ. Had the meaning of John xviii. 36, ' My Mngdom 
is not of this ivorld^ and of New Testament representations 
generally, been understood and kept in mind, the thought of 
such necessity could never have suggested itself What was 
the state of the fact, even in what Paul calls ^ the beginning 
of the Gospel ?' There was, in the very times of the apostles, 
a vast extent of country, throughout which organized societies 
of the faithful, called, in the New Testament, churches, were 
formed, and this wide territory embraced no inconsiderable 
diversity of external situation and of civil polity. Was 
there, then, in those days, nny accommodation of the consti- 
tution of the kingdom of Christ to this 'diversity ? And if 
there was no such thing then, is not this simple fact sufficient 
to show that there is no need for any such thing now ? The 
peculiar nature of this kingdom continues the same, in all 
ages, and in all places, and under every form of ciril govern- 
ment. Its subjects, every where, are those who have been 
born again, and ' chosen out of the world.' Their spiritual 
character and their spiritual relations are altogether unaffected 



136 



MEMOIRS OF THS 



iu their great distinctive features, by variations, however wide 
in local situation and climate, in national manners, and in 
the institutions and forms of political society. It follows 
therefore, that the same statutes which are suitable for a part 
of the subjects of the kingdom, must be equally suitable for 
the whole, without distinction of time or place. The same 
laws will answer the same descriptions of character. The same 
ordinances will cherish the same spiritual principles and 
affections. The same moving and regulating powers will 
impel and direct the same machinery. The same cement will 
hold together the same materials. If, indeed, the church is 
made to embrace entire civil communities, composed of the 
most heterogeneous characters, under the common designation 
of Christians — then the necessary change and accommodation 
cannot but be apparent and felt. But if the church is re- 
garded as composed of spiritual men — men who, though in 
the world, are not of the world — the same constitution of 
government which was adapted to its spiritual character in the 
days of the apostles, will be no less suitable for it now. This 
leaves us with only one question — What was the apostolic 
constitution of the Church ? That is our only safe, our only 
legitimate model ; and in determining it, approved example 
and explicit precept are of the same authority. Wherever 
we find the former, we in effect tind the latter, unless we are 
prepared to admit that the apostles either enjoined what they 
did not intend to be practised, or saw practised, with their 
approbation, what they had not enjoined*." 

I do not produce this extract from Dr. Wardlaw as con- 
taining any novel principle or point of doctrine, for in fact it 
is recognized and acted upon by all consistent and well-in- 
structed dissenters, and exhibits in a short compass the funda- 
mental ground of difference between the conformists and 
non-conformists. I introduce it in this place because Mr. Hill 

* Sermon on Civil Establishments, &c. p. 9, 10, 11. To this author 
we would apply an ancient saying, " Thou art not far from the Kingdom 
of heaven !" 



REV. ROWLAND HILL 



137 



while living entertained a high opinion of that divine's talents 
and judgment, to which he has borne honourable testimony in 
the Preface to his " Village Dialogues." And I will, on the 
subject under consideration, adopt his own words (when 
speaking of Dr. Wardlaw's Refutation of Socinianism) with 
a trifling variation, and say, that in his Sermon on Civil 
Establishments of Christianity, " the learned writer on the 
other side of the Tweed, has favoured the world with such a 
luminous exhibition of the nature of the kingdom our Lord 
Jesus Christ, as distinguished from the Jewish theocracy — 
the kingdoms of this world — and all civil incorporations of 
Christianity, as ought for ever to silence the advocates of 
modern episcopacy, and presbyterianism also — for his prin- 
ciples and arguments are such as fair and honest controversy 
can never evade." 

The Christian religion is beyond all doubt the greatest 
blessing which any nation under heaven can enjoy ; but its 
establishment by human laws is a very different affair, though 
Mr. Hill dexterously confounds them, in the beginning of the 
extract lately adduced from his Sale of Curates. The truth 
is that before Christianity can be accommodated to the pur- 
poses of civil government, so as to become a handmaid to the 
Stale, and suited to any whole nation of this world, it must be 
essentially corrupted from its primitive purity. It was never 
designed for any such purpose by its Divine Founder, and all 
attempts to convert it into such a scheme of things are highly 
profane and wicked. For three hundred years after the 
ascension of its Divine Founder into heaven, it made its way 
in the world, in spite of all opposition from " the Kings of 
the earth and its rulers," who took counsel against it, and by 
«very possible means endeavoured to extirpate it ; but it 
prevailed by its own intrinsic evidence and the overruling 
providence of its great author. The moment it became 
incorporated with the state, in the days of the Emperor Con- 
stantino, it gave birth to the kingdom of the clergy, and 
brought to maturity " Babylon the Great, the Mother of 



138 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



harlots and abominations of the earth ; the habitation of devils, 
the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and 
hateful bird," as foretold in prophecy, and exemplified (in 
part) in Mr. Hill's Sale of Curates. All that the religion of 
Jesus Christ asks for, at the hands of the rulers of this world 
is, simple toleration. This heavenly stranger asks not the 
aid of the puny arm of flesh, and scornfully repels every 
effort to uphold her and further her interests by Acts of Par- 
liament, or the decisions of Councils and Synods. If per- 
secuted in one city or country she meekly retires to another ; 
but is everywhere the object of hatred to an unbelieving 
world, asfreeable to the declaration of the Saviour in his 
intercessory prayer for his despised disciples : "I have given 
them thy word, therefore the world hateth thernP 

Mr. Hill was avowedly a firm friend to toleration : " AU 
state persecutions, for the sake of an exclusive religion, he 
pronounces absurd and abominable," and so they are. But 
then, unhappily, he overlooked this fact, that all national 
establishments of religion are exclusive^ and as su'% carry in 
their bosom the seeds of persecution. It is so in the church 
of England, " the platform^^ of which he was quite enamoured 
of, wishing only for its reformation, not demolition. Now, 
any one who will give himself the trouble to reflect upon the 
matter may see that if a dissenter in England would enjoy 
the benefits of toleration, he must pay for them by a sacrifice 
of property or conscience. The State selects a certain num- 
ber of clergymen to officiate about the altar, whose support is 
provided for by Act of Parliament. It is not at the option of 
a dissenter whether he will contribute to the support of these 
clergymen or not. However averse he may be to national 
establishments, as being in their nature Antichristian, the 
civil power secures it, and the application of this power is 
often necessary before that support can be obtained. But 
whether the contribution be granted voluntarily or not, the 
power of demanding the payment exists ; and it should never 
be forgotten, that it is the very same power which at one 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



139 



period can demand a part of his property to support the re- 
ligion of the State, that, at another could imprison his person 
for attending a conventicle, and which still, in another quarter 
of Christendom, can drag him before the tribunal of the 
Inquisition to atone for the errors of his faith, by the forfeiture 
of liberty and life. The power is radically the same, though 
it is susceptible of modifications from the civil government, 
and though there are various I'orms and degrees in which it is 
exercised. But it is time to attend to Mr, Hill. 

" As a friend, therefore, to the established religion of our 
country, the Old Observer writes this his short apology with a 
free declaration against her defects. Her ministers, in a 
religious point of view, are very carelessly educated for the 
sacred work. In this she is either the tool of the state (and 
courts are seldom disinterested and uncorrupt) or the pay- 
master general to the younger sons of the noble or the rich : 
and the people must pay them, while others choose them. He 
therefore delivers his sentiments in a few words. He is, all 
things considered, for a reduced episcopacy, a reformed liturgy, 
and the election of the minister by the suffrage of the people. 

" These, however, are but mere aphoristic observations, and 
candid minds may dispute a long time on these subjects, pro- 
vided that positivity and bigotry give way to moderation and 
love. Under these principles, the Old Observer has sent his 
dream to the press, with sincere regret, that under the con- 
stitutional defects of the government of the Church, which 
every Ash Wednesday she laments till Ash Wednesday comes 
again, many very bad ministers, from motives that are most 
abominable, have an easy inroad into her sanctuary, and like 
Hophni and Phineas, though under an immediate theocracy, 
have reduced the priesthood thereby into a state of the com- 
pletest degradation and contempt 

"Every succeeding Hophni and Phineas, therefore, in all 
future ages and churches, will be an equal curse to the saCred 
cause; the preacher's sins are preaching sins; to palliate 
their vices, is therefore to stab the sacred cause to which they 



140 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



iay claim, for no other motives tlian those which are the most 
mercenary and vile. When such are exposed, and brought 
into contempt, we should rather expect the thanks, than the 
blame, of those who are upright and sincere. Still the charge 
will be brought in the gross : " This is exposing the clergy." 
This is speaking against the clergy. The charge is an unjust 
one. The office is the most useful and creditable a man can 
fill. The real friends of the office will be jealous of its 
honour. The glory of the magistrate is the uprightness of 
his character, while knavery is his disgrace. If the clergy 
have a right to live inconsistent with their characters, it may 
be wr^ong to expose them; while after all, it is utterly im- 
possible to expose them^ but as they expose themselves. How 
shall we ridicule a character that is upright and sincere ? and 
if it be attempted, the ridicule is sure to recoil, with re- 
doubled force, against the man wlio makes it. In a faithful 
minister, uprightness of conduct is like a suit of armour, per- 
fectly compact; and when brightened by holiness and 
devotedness to God, he shines with a splendour which is 
peculiarly his own. And blessed be God that some such 
characters are to be found in our national church; while many 
others, if less splendid, are still highly honourable and 
respectable, in a moral point of view ; yet is it not to be 
lamented that some of these, though good themselves, do but 
little good notwithstanding? Should the cause be inquired 
into, perhaps the discovery might be made, that the remedy 
of God's own providing is not sufficiently held forth. Nothing 
can prove effectual to the salvation of the sinner, but that 
which is revealed to man, through him who is ' the way, the 
truth, and the life,' and when these glorious doctrines are 
clogged with an intermixture of human merit, or something 
like it, conjoined with worldly prudence and the fear of man, 
they are rendered without etFect. The simple preaching of 
the cross of Christ, ever did and ever will appear ' to them 
which perish foolishness, while to them that are saved it is the 
power of God.' 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



141 



" Carnal reasoning is always ready to start the old objection, 
^ Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound V while 
every real Christian meets the detested thought with holy 
abhorrence : 'God foroid : how snail we who are dead to sin 
live any longer therein V Free redemption through the blood 
of Christ, is a doctrine inseparably connected with our iretJ 
sanctification, through the divine operation of the Holy Ghost. 
I drop this hint with the highest respect to those who, though 
well intentioned in themselves, yet still fail in the salvation of 
others ; and let this respectable class of ministers be ever men- 
tioned with honour and esteem, and never blended, I fear I 
may say, with that large majority, who are negative at the best ; 
hiding their talents (if they have any) like the unprofitable 
servant in a napkin, while others of them, I am persuaded, are 
not less wicked and abominable, than as they have already been 
represented. Still it should be acknowledged that these are 
strictures on general characters, and consequently not to be 
esteemed as personal reflections. A mirror is now before them, 
Veluti in Speculum. It seeks neither the applause of the good, 
nor fears the censure of the bad, but leaves each character to 
form correct judgment for itself: notwithstanding, as characters 
have been in general drawn, many will censure. Would to 
God, for the sake of others, that I had over-reached the mark; 
but to prove I am not singular in my judgment, I lay before 
my readers a quotation, from one of the best writers of the pre- 
sent day. 

" Much has been said of late upon the subject of schism, as 
well as enthusiasm ; and truly serious persons, who abhor both 
of these in their evil sense, have been charged with maintaining 
or abetting them. But the charge is misapplied and should 
have been directed elsewhere. Those are the worst Schismatics, 
the real and most dangerous dissenters from the doctrine, and 
fhe greatest disgrace to the discipline of the church of England, 
who, while they profess to be its ministers and members, do 
most strenuously contradict, by evil life, or heterodox princi- 
ples, the fundamentals of the Christian Religion, and pervert 



142 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



the true end and purpose for which our own, or indeed any 
other, establishment was protected by secular laws. Idle and 
dissolute clergymen, who (one must say with regret) are to be 
found in every place of worldly entertainment, and almost in 
any place rather than in their duties and churches, where the 
service seems to be often tedious and burdensome ; the loose, 
the ignorant, the unprincipled laymen, professing at the same 
time to be members of the church ; these, and these chiefly, are 
the grand Schismatics and Enthusiasts^ the ardent and perse- 
vering enthusiasts in the pursuits of the world, the flesh, and 
the devil, and should be altogether the first objects of episcopal 
care, and of episcopal amendment. Serious and considerate 
people look at the use and 7'esult of things ; and if they are led 
to lament, that the sacred offices are filled by men, not selected 
for their worth or their piety, but from worldly or political mo- 
tives only, and that, therefore, the duties of religion are hud- 
dled over as matters of dry and unimportant concern, or are 
regarded mainly for the purposes of secular interest ; how can 
they be blamed, if, turning from such persons with the same 
disgust, which would have expelled them in a moment from the 
primitive church, they resort, if they have opportunity, to more 
worthy pastors in the establishment, or even out of it, if no such 
pastors are at hand ? Can it be expected, that persons really 
concerned for truth and salvation, will listen to the voice of the 
fox-hunter, the gambler, the sordid worldling, or the openly 
profane? The voice of such strangers to truth and godliness 
they will not, they cannot follow. These, whose chief God is 
fheir belly ^ are the worst enemies both of the cross of Christ, 
and of the excellent (!) establishment to Avhich they claim to 
belong. No wonder, then, that, in a thousand instances, the 
laity contribute to the support of such men with reluctance, 
while they observe that, not the souls of the people unhappily 
committed to their charge, but their own miserable indulgences, 
are the main points of sedulity and concern. It is with a very 
ill grace, therefore, that ministers of this stamp complain of 
the increase of dissenters. They themselves are the principal 



REY. ROWLAND HILL. 



143 



cause of that increase. For, though unity is certainly a most 
desirable thing, there can be no real or sincere unity without 
the bond of truth. This alone can influence the heart into the 
love of God, and the life into goodness and usefulness among 
men. To insist, therefore, upon religious unity with wordly, 
graceless, ungodly men, is almost as strange as an algama- 
tion of fire and water, or the attempt to form an indissoluble 
texture by a rope of sand. The true way to reduce sects and 
parties is to exceed them in all zeal and duty ; or as a bishop 
of our church once recommended to a complainant against dis- 
senters to ^ out-preach them, out-pray them, and out-live 
them.' This would reclaim many, and prevent, under God, 
that much to be feared dissolution of our ecclesiastical state, 
which ungodly men in the church, and unprincipled men out of 
it, are hastening on, as fast as in them lies, and in some 
instances, with a kind of wicked and malignant joy. I say all 
this with the deepest concern ; because I will yield to no man 
in zealous attachment to our constitution both of church and 
state * " 

I now take leave of this singular performance, "The Sale of 
Curates," with merely remarking, that, had it proceeded from 
the pen of a Paine or a Carlisle, or any other noted infidel ; 
nay, had it issued from some red-hot zealot of the Antinomian 
school, such as was the late William Huntington, or any of 
that stamp, it had created much less surprise, and had possessed 
fewer claims to notice ; but emanating as it did from one who 
gloried in being a minister of the church of England, and who 
occasionally vented his spleen against dissenters, because they 
were dissenters, yet has done more to exhibit its deformities 
and expose its corruptions than any other writer living or dead ; 
these things surely entitle it to peculiar attention. The scarcity 
of the pamphlet also and the consequent difficulty of meeting 
with it, have each had their influence in eliciting this extended 
analysis of its contents, for the benefit of posterity, to whose 
serious consideration it is now submitted. 



* Charis or Reflections on the Office of the Holy Spirit. 



144 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



SECTION VI. 

MR. hill's strenuous EXERTIONS TO PROMOTE THE CAUSE 
OF VACCINE INOCULATION, A. D. 1806. ! 

The present Section shall be devoted to the purpose of ex- 
hibiting Mr. Hill in the character of a philanthropist, exerting 
all his physical energies and great influence in counteracting 
vulgar prejudices^ and in mitigating the miseries of human 
life. The subject is in itself interesting, and the labours of 
Mr. Hill in relation to it, are so creditable to him as a man 
and a Christian, that it would be unjust to his memory to omit 
the mention of it in this place. But to make the matter intel- 
ligible to every reader, a little previous explanation will be 
necessary. 

The Small Pox, after maintaining its frightful ravages 
throughout Europe for nearly a thousand years seemed to bid 
defiance to the skill of the physician, when, towards the close 
of the last century, the Providence of God which continually 
watches over the life of man, which first caused the polar 
direction of the magnet to obtrude itself on one who was at the 
instant in quest of a very different inquiry, and thus paved the 
way for perfecting the science of navigation; the same divine 
interposition to which we owe our knowledge of the salutary 
virtues of the Jesuit's bark, and a thousand other important 
discoveries in chemical science, was pleased to direct to a 
remedy for checking the progress of this direful scourge of our 
species. In the year 1796, Edward Jenner, a physician resid- 
ing at Berkeley, near Gloucester, first applied to the arm of a 
healthy boy of eight years old, by means of two superficial 
incisions, the morbid fluid secreted by a score on the hand of a 
dairy-maid, who had contracted cow-pock from the udders of 
her master's cows. The experiment succeeded beyond ex- 
pectation: the boy sickened on the seventh day after the 



KET. HOWLAND HILL, 145 

operation nad uneasiness in the arm-pit— on the ninth becam? 
chill, had head-ache, lost appetite, was otherwise indisposed 
and spent a restless night; but the folio, "ng day was free 
from complaint. Dr. Jenner prosecuted his experiments at 
intervals for two years, and in 1798, laid the result before the 
public m h,s Inquiry, &c. a book which on account of the 
singular facts which it announced, and their more extraordi- 
uary application, attracted much attention. Such was the 
origin of Vaccination in this country, the practice of which is 
now become almost universal among us; but to prosecute the 
history m detail, from that period to its establishment, however 
interesting, is beside my present design, further than as the 
biography of Mr. Hill stands connected with it. 

Dr. Jenner's place of residence was in the vicinity of Wot- 
ton-Underedge, where Mr. Hill passed his summer months, 
and this, together with his intimacy with Dr. Jenner, oave 
him the most ample means of making himself fully acquamted 
with the progress of this new discovery, which his natural 
sagacity and inquisitiveness would prompt him to watch with 
an eagle's eye, while his instinctive benevolence would not 
suffer him to remain a mere passive spectator of what was in 
progress. After an interval of twenty years, the public have 
forgotten the violent opposition which the practice of Vaccina- 
tion had at this time to encounter from some of the medical 
profession, particularly Drs. Moseley, Rowley, and others, who 
strove, by every possible means, to practise upon the public 
credulity, and raise a vulgar prejudice against it. This led 
Mr. Hill, ,n 1806, to publish a small piece, 72 pa^es 12mo 
entitled, " Cow-Pock Inoculation vindicated, and recommended 
from matters of fact:" dedicated to His Excellency the Duke 
of Bedford, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. President of the 
Royal Jennerian Society. An advertisement prefixed gives 
the author's reasons for taking up the subject, and as it is 
Short, I shall here lay it before the reader. 

" It is readily acknowledged, that nothing new can he 
advanced on a subject which has already been so fuliy invest- 



]46 MEMOIRS OF THE 

gated, and so ably defended by many gentlemen of the bigbest 
respectability in the medical profession: yet having been 
frequently requested to add my testimony to that of others, 
for the following reasons I readily comply: 1. I have it in my 
power to speak to matters of fact, perhaps more so than many 
among the most active of the faculty themselves, having inocu- 
lated nearly five thousand subjects with my own hand, exclu- 
sive of many more that have been vaccinated between Dr 
Walker and myself, at the School Room of Surrey Chapel, 
under the patronage of the Jennerian Society. 2. It appears 
that a small publication in a concise and plain style, and at a 
low price, containing an abridgment of what has hitherto 
been published, was greatly needed for the general good. 
3. As a mere hint from the pulpit in different places, has 
frequently produced some hundreds of customers, from a kind 
persuasion that I could have no self-interested motives what- 
ever, I wish to try what next can be done from the press : and 
as I am told my name has had some influence over the minds 
and prejudices of many, I am in hopes that I may be able to 
prevail with others, to resist the stratagems of a few interested 
and artful men, against such a weight of authority and 
evidence, as perhaps was never resisted before." 

Mr. Hill commences with a brief account of the operations 
and convictions of his own mind in reference to Vaccination, 
on which he says, " When first the advantages of the Cow- 
pock Inoculation became the subject of serious investigation, I 
confess I was not a little staggered that so sUght an infection, 
so safely and so easily communicated, should prove a protec- 
tion against one so dangerous, so loathsome, and so destructive 
to the human race ; but having the honour, and such I really 
call it, of a personal acquaintance with that skilful and able 
physician. Dr. Jenner, from his known integrity and ability, a 
strong prepossession in favour of a discovery promoted by him, 
naturally took place upon my mind. 

Dr. Jenner, with his accustomed modesty, takes not the 
iaast praise to himself as having brought to light any neW 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. ]47 

discovery, that the cow-pock secui"ed from the small-pox, even 
to the latest period of life, when caught from the animal among 
those who are engaged in dairy-farms. If, however, as far as 
this, nothing new is to be attributed to Dr. Jenner, yet all the 
honour and credit of communicating the same disease by the 
lancet, from one human subject to another, and with the same 
beneficial consequences in every point of view, must be 
entirely ascribed to the assiduity and attention of that physician 
alone ; whereby the lives of millions throughout the globe 
have been protected from one of the most fatal and pestilential 
diseases that can be known among the human race. 

" A discovery of such magnitude well deserved the sanction 
of the legislative body, who granted a reward (perhaps much 
inferior to its importance) of ten thousand pounds. And, in 
order to give the utmost publicity to this most beneficial dis- 
covery, a Society was afterwards formed, and readily sanctioned 
by Royal authority, and received the immediate patronage of 
the first personages of the land. Considering myself also as a 
member and director of the Royal Jennerian Society, and 
whose medical council contains a list of names of the first 
respectability in the medical line, I at once conceived it my 
duty to promote the discovery to the utmost of my power. 
The ground I took I was now sure was both rational and sub- 
stantial, and plain before me ; and I immediately discovered 
that after a very few cautionary observations on the mere com- 
munication of the disease, and a knowledge of the proper 
formation of the cow-pock pustule, any person with a steady 
hand, though totally ignorant of every branch of surgical or 
medical knowledge, might commence as safe and as complete 
an inoculator, as the first surgeon or ablest physician in the 
land." 

Mr. Hill then proceeds to give a statement of what he him- 
self had done as an inoculator for the good of the public. 
^* My first efforts," says he, " commenced early in the summer 
of 1804, in and about Wotton-Underedge, in Gloucestershire, 
where I possess a retired habitation : that neighbourhood being 

L 2 



148 MEMOIRS OF THE 

rather populous, I had near twelve hundred applicants At 
Hillsley, a village about three mjles from the place, the small 
pox began to make its appearance: one person, I am told, Ml 
a sacrifice to the disease, and another did but just escape with 
his life; this drove hundreds to me for protection, and the 
small-pox was immediately non-existent in those parts ; and 1 
solemnly protest that not a single sere arm, dangerous erup- 
tion, or any oth^r calamity was heard of from that quarter. 
A very slight abscess was formed on one child's shoulder, 
which was soon brought to suppuration and healed of itself; 
and if this solitary instance should be supposed to operate 
against vaccination, I can, on the contrary side, positively 
assert, that after having inoculated a woman with an ulcerated 
breast, and her child of a very scrofulous habit, though the 
disease had a much stronger effect upon their constitutions than 
in most other cases, yet in the progress of the cow-pock, the 
disease began to abate ; and soon after, both of them were 
restored to health, and have continued so ever since." 

Being called to Portsmouth, in the course of the summer, 
of 1804, on an exchange of pulpit services with his friend Mr. 
Griffin, who was desirous of introducing vaccination into that 
neighbourhood also, Mr. Hill attempted it on many subjects, 
but to his surprise he failed in every instance, owing, as he 
afterwards ascertained to the vaccine matter which he had 
preserved at Wotton-Underedge having been too much' 
exposed to light and air, which destroys its iMuence on the con- 
stitution. In the autumn of the same year, while on a visit to 
Bristol, he vaccinated hundreds with the most entire success. 
On his return to London, some people from Clapham applied, 
and he inoculated eighty with his own hand, thus putting a stop 
to the ravages of the small-pox. In the following year, 1805, 
being on a visit to Chatham, he found the small-pox making 
dreadful ravages throughout Rochester, Chatham, and Stroud 
— three towns forming one continued street, extending upwards 
of two miles in length, together with crowded courts and 
other contiguous places, rendering the population the most 



REV ROWLAND HILL. 149 

numerous of any town in Kent. Here Mr. Hill set to work in 
good earnest, beginning with two recruits belonging to the corps 
of Royal Marines, who had never had the natural smail-pox. 
" With these two recruits," says Mr. Hill, " I immediately set 
to work, and having appointed the people to meet me at three 
diiFerent places of worship, as being the most, commodious for 
my purpose, in the three towns I inoculated three hundred 
and twenty subjects within two days. After this, vaccination 
became general among the medical men in those parts ; and 
some of them, to please the ignorant, added to. the infection 
which already prevailed by inoculating with the small-pox— 
Ibis, however, put the cow-pock inoculation to a further trial, 
and ail who were vaccinated resisted the contagion in every 
quarter.". * 

After this, Mr. Hill paid a visit to Frome, where his friend, 
?vir. Sibree, was anxious to .introduce the benefits of vaccina- 
tion. At that time the small-pox was very fatal in those 
parts ; and at Shepton-Mallet, distant about ten miles, not less 
than seventy had lately fallen victims to that disease. Here 
however, he found he had enough to do to encounter the pre- 
judices of the people, of which he gives his readers some 
delectable specimens, on which I may not dilate. In his 
sermon on the Lord's day, he took, occasion to recommend 
vaccination from the pulpit, and on the following morning, in 
the course of two'hours he inoculated not less than two hun- 
dred; this was owing to the overseers of the parish sending the 
bell-man about to announce his willingness to vaccinate every 
person that chose to apply. The minister of Shepton-Mallet, 
now sent a pressing invitation to him to come and extend to 
them the benefits of vaccination also, with which he complied, 
considering it a call of humanity, the inhabitants having been 
great s-uiferers from the small-pox. Here he instructed Mr. 
Priestley, the minister of the place, in the use of the lancet, 
and inoculated as many as he conveniently could. On this he 
remarks : "It is astonishing, notwithstanding all th^se efForts, 
what an abundance of mischief is done, by a variety of false 



150 MEMOIRS OF THE 

reports, which are circulated among a set of low quacks and 
apothecaries, throughout the kingdom at large, one instance of 
which I will now relate. 

" During my visit in those western counties, 1 called on a 
highly respectable vice-president of the Somerset J ennerian 
Society, who put into my hands a Bath newspaper, containing 
a list, as far as I can recollect, of not less than twenty who 
were subjected to the small-pox after vaccination ; signed 
John Bush. I do not at all wonder that persons, even of high 
rank and considerable understanding, are much staggered at 
such advertisements; especially while ignorant of the quarter 
whence they proceed. On a visit to Bath, I called on Mr. 
Creaser, a surgeon of eminence, and inquired about the above 
said John Bush ; and the information I received was, that he 
was once a cow-doctor, afterwards availed himself of a quack 
medicine, whereby he became a noted cmex cancers; and 
as a proof of this, I remember a friend of mine put herself 
under his care, and soon afterwards she was put into the grave. 
An inquiry was instituted, and the result was, that the whole 
of the cow-doctor's ad\ ertisement was a notorious imposition 
upon the public credit. N. B. The coio-dodor is a great 
inoculator for the small-pox ; he takes but five shillings for 
the operation, but then every one knows there are some 
frecious picJcings which are sure to follow throughout the 
whole of their attendance on this terrible disease." 

Mr. Hill concludes the account of these his western 
attempts, by giving e.dracts of two letters from Frome; the 
first from Edward Griffith, Esq., dated Feb. 7, 1806; and the 
other from Mr. Sibree, dated April 1, same year; assuring 
him of the most complete success having attended the practice 
of vaccination in that populous town. 

He next adverts to what had been done during a sum?ner's 
excursion into South Wales. " While in Pembrokeshire, I 
inoculated nine nundred and ninety-six ; and having taught 
others the use of the lancet for the same beneficial purpose, I 
availed myself of their assistance, and consequently may add, 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



151 



I believe, another hundred to that list, making up eleven 
hundred in the whole. Thus, the poor people, in and about 
the neighbourhood of Haverfordwest, being one of the most 
po]3ulous parts in Wales, are mercifully secured from a con- 
tagious disease, which would very probably have soon made 
its inroads amongst them : while no less than three hundred 
in the town of Carmarthen, at a distance of about thirty miles 
from Haverfordwest, were carried to the grave the victims of 
that awful plague." 

Not having received any tidings of the result of his opera- 
tions in Wales, at the time of writing his pamphlet, Mr. Hill 
addressed a letter of inquiry to Dr. Meylett, of Haverford- 
west ; he received the following reply : — 

"Dear Sir. — The small-pox has not lately made its 
appearance in this neighbourhood. I have seen numbers who 
had been vaccinated by you. and had gone through the 
disease in a regular manner, but met with only two cases of 
eruptions after vaccination. One child had an eruption some 
time before he was vaccinated, which had disappeared, and 
returned again after that disease ; but it was trifling, and soon 
perfectly removed. The other also very soon recovered, 
although he had a constitutional tendency to cutaneous erup- 
tions. There has been no one in this country who has had 
the smali-pox after vaccination; nor have I observed any 
other disagreeable symptoms follow the complaint, except 
those two above mentioned. 

" I have no doubt that your book will be of great service in 
removing prejudices against this most valuable of discoveries, 
and I sincerely wish you success in your benevolent efforts to 
support its credit, and extend its benefits. 

" W. G. Meylett. 

Haverfordwest, March 11, 1806." 
Having detailed the various exertions which he had made 
to forward the cause of vaccination, Mr. Hill proceeds to give 
his readers a specimen of the opposition which was raised 
against this invaluable discovery from certain medical prac- 



152 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



titioners, who appear to have thought that the craft would 
be ruined by it." " When I first began this little work," sajs 
Mr. Hill, " Dr. Rowley was then a living opponent ; his book, 
however, yet lives, to promote the destruction of multitudes, 
though he himself lives no more; as for Dr. Moseley's 
pamphlet, one would have thought it must soon have destroyed 
itself The reader shall see with what mere insolence and 
disgustful levity he begins his work. ' In the year 1798, the 
Cov7-pocK inoculation mania seized the people of England, 
en masse. It broke out in the month of April, like a symp- 
tomatic eruption of nature; the planet Mercury, the delusive 
author of vain and fond imaginations, being then in the 
Zodiacal sign of the Bull. It increased as the days lengthened ; 
cind at midsummer, large societies of the medical profession, 
which was first attacked, were distempered to an intole- 
rable DEGREE. While some members of these distinofuished 
bodies were absorbed in deep study and intense thought, the 
MANIA stole upon thei , taking advantage of the absence of 
their intellectsj' And, gain ; soon afterwards he gives us 
another sample of the Sb.me silly pedantic style of writing : — 
' The cow-pock has lately appeared in England. This is a 
new star in the ^sculapian system ; it was first observed from 
the provinces. It is so luminous there, that the greasy he«led 
hind feet of Pegasus are visible to the naked eye. The hidden 
parts of that constellation, which have puzzled astronomers as 
to the sex of Pegasus, and which Hipparchus,Tycho, Hevellus, 
Flamstead, and Herschel could never discover ; the reason is 
evident.' We have many flourishes of the like sort; but when 
the reader has had one sentence out of the next paragraph, he 
will say he has bad quite enough : ' some pretend that a 
restive greasy-healed horse will kick down all the gallipots of 
Galen.' ¥v^as ever such mere rhapsody and nonsense against 
the whole body of the most respectable, dispassionate, and 
wise, among the medical characters, produced before ! !l And 
what is here given, is only a sample of the same language, as 
is, or has been adopted by the few others who have appeared 



I 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 153 

as the champions of the same cause. Their puffing preten- 
sions to such an extraordinary degree of wisdom; their 
fastidious pride in their supposed great learning*, displayed 
in a variety of trite quotations from different authors, that the 
public may know how many languages they are acquainted 
with, and how many learned volumes they have published; 
and then their extraordinary powers whereby they can cure 
all sorts of diseases by their own nostrums and inventions, 
bestowing at the same time, on all besides themselves, the 
opprobrious epithets of fools, maniacs, hlochheads, madmen, 
wizards, furious fanatics, bedlamites, violent enthusiasts, &c. 
&c. ; these are the very arts whereby they work on the unthink- 
ing multitude ; especially when all this is covered with the 
cant of pretended philanthropy; and, above all, with an 
hypocritical reverence for deity, only forsooth, because after 
the maturest deliberation, the faculty conceive that vaccina- 
tion is a most merciful and providential discovery ; and that 
however it might operate against their own interest, as far as 
a dangerous disease is diminished thereby ; yet that it ought 
to be promoted to the utmost of their power." 

Mr. Hill proceeds: — " After these introductory remarks on 
the subject at large, I have next solemnly to assert, that 
having inoculated in different places, not less than 4840 
subjects, independent of 3720, and upwards, which have been 
inoculated at Surrey Chapel School Room ; I have not, as 
yet, met with one single failure ; though, upon the repeti- 
tions of my visits, I have at all times made it apoint to inquire, 
with the utmost diligence in my power ; nor j^et in any one point 
of view, have I seen any of those distressful consequences which 
have been brought forward with so much art and downright 
falsehood,io alarm the fears and terrify the imaginations of the 
public." After contrasting vaccination with the variolous 

* Dr. Moseley could not even write his motto for his publication, but 
he must transcribe, with a considerable degree of profanity, the well- 
known passage from the Greek Testament, " Father, forgive them, for 
they know not what they do." 



154 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



inoculation, in regard to their attendant expence, and the 
frequent distressing consequences that attend the latter, such 
as sometimes loss of sight, and others sent corrupted victims 
to the grave ; he adds, " Oh, what dreadful consequences the 
poor of the nation are left to suffer in such an extreme degree, 
though such an effectual remedy is now at hand !" 

" It is in vain to expatiate against the artful stratagems, the 
self-interested motives of a Moseley, a Birch, a Squirrell, and 
others of their anti-vaccinarian satellites, who can dance 
around the destructive altar of variolous inoculation, by their 
wanton pretensions to sportive wit, while the lives of thousands 
are at stake. It is in vain to tell the public, that the charac- 
ters of these men, as it respects their attempts against vacci- 
nation are gone, for ever gone; in having been detected, that 
either through ignorance or art, they have been guilty of 
printing and reprinting a set of tales which never existed, or 
exaggerated statements, which they must know, or might have 
known, were nothing to the purpose, while the cause of all the 
fatal mischief, must rest with them alone." 

Mr. Hill examines the principal arguments which are 
brought by the opponents of vaccination, in favour of their 
destructive inoculation, and disposes of them very trium- 
phantly. " Attend to Dr. Moseley and some others " says 
he, " and they will tell you that the small-pox, communicated 
by inoculation, is never fatal, never dangerous, and the patient 
never liable to a second attack. Now, what doctors could 
possibly say more, if people would but believe them ? but 
take it with you, at the same time, they are the men by whom 
these wonders are to be performed ; for other poor bunglers in 
inoculation are obliged to mention with regret, that it is always 
dangerous, because sometimes, though but seldom fatal, that 
with all their skill, neither violent inflammations of the arm, 
nor the formation of terrible abscesses, can at all times be 
possibly avoided ; and as for what these fjoUte doctors call 
mange, itch, &c. these they know to be the frequent con- 
comitants of their inoculation; and then, as to the dreadful 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



155 



consequences of contagion, who is to protect the poor from 
this evil, while the rich can afford to protect themselves 1 But 
it should be remarked that while they protect themselves, they 
communicate destruction to others. Is it possible for lan- 
guage to describe the mischiefs that have arisen from the 
wanton introduction of the small-pox, by inoculation among 
those who cannot or dare not submit to a voluntary introduc- 
tion of this loathsome epidemic disease? Let all such 
infected persons, who cnoose the variolous inoculation, be 
conveyed to a pest-house, and let those clever doctors, 
Moseley and Co. be appointed physicians extraordinary to 
that institution, indemnifying every consequent loss among 
the poor, and the principal objections against their inocula- 
tion, will, in some measure, no longer exist." 

While Mr. Hill was preparing his pamphlet for the press, 
he received some communications from Dr.Lettsom, informing 
him that a physician in Madras had inoculated two hundred 
and fifty thousand British subjects and Gentoos, with the coav- 
pock, without the least inconvenience ; and that the grateful 
Brahmins term it the dew of heaven, because, prior to this, 
nine in ten, as is frequently the case in those hot countries, 
lost their lives : that this happy preservative having been 
administered in camps and armies, the small-pox has been 
arrested in its progress without the least inconvenience what- 
ever." On which he piously remarks, " Oh, these enemies 
against this most beneficial discovery ! what incalculable mis- 
chiefs have been produced by their false and daring publica- 
tions ! and what have they not to answer for, before their King, 
their countiy, and their God !" 

In a letter which accompanied these communications, Dr. 
Lettsom informed Mr. Hill that the practice of vaccination 
was gradually lessening the mortality arising from the small- pox 
in 1804, when about the middle of 1805, the false and scan- 
dalous reports which were then industriously propagated 
against vaccination, gained such general credit, that the 
practice of the latter was generally suspended, and the con- 



m 



jrfEMOIRS OF THE 



sequence was the death of 1286 children in four months (Sept. 
Oct Nov. Dec.) or ten every day, each of whom might then 
have been alive, had the blessing of vaccination been accepted. 
"I am anxious," says the doctor, "to see your pamphlet in 
print. The good it will do will be difficult to calculate ; but 1 
can already assert, that you have done more good than you 
imagine ; and that for every one you may have saved by your 
actual operation, you have saved ten by your example : and, 
perhaps, next to Jenner, you have been the means of saving 
more lives than any other individual. Under this sentiment 
you possess the unfeigned esteem of your friend." 

One cannot reasonably doubt that such a testimony must 
have been highly gratifying to Mr. Hill— indeed he confesses 
it in a note on the place — after which he tenders his apology 
for having stepped out of his sphere to meddle with t/te irade 
of another class of men. " I know I shall be well cate- 
chised," says he, " by some of the doctors of the day, for 
interfering with their profession, while I have so much to do 
with my own. My answer to them is, they would have saved 
me all the trouble had they adopted the same liberal and 
affectionate conduct for the public good, through the country at 
large, which has ever been exemplified by the professional gen- 
tlemen of the Jennerian Society, belonging to this city. My 
attempts, therefore, were neither needed nor have they been 
exerted in this metropolis, unless occasionally to countenance 
the discovery, or to oblige some particular friends. But 
among the country practitioners, I confess it is far otherwise 
though there are some very praiseworthy exceptions; for 
while they hang back bargaining for their fees, pretending^ at 
the same time, to administer vaccination gratis among the 
poor — vaccination will never become the general blessing of 
the land." After some pointed remarks on selfishness in the 
liuman character, particularly in reference to this subject, he 
adds, " It is on these accounts that I not only at first found it 
necessary to turn practitioner myself, but to instruct others 
ilso how to use the lancet, and how to discover the real nature 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



157 



of the disease; and supposing that ministers having an 
influence over their congregations, might more easily remove 
prejudices than others. I have always esteemed it my duty 
to urge this work of mercy peculiarly on them, and in this, I 
thank God, I have successfully prevailed." 

Mr. Hill proceeds to give directions concerning the lancet 
and manner of using it in the practice of vaccination— the 
symptoms and proper treatment of the complaint, with the 
necessary cautions to be observed, &c. ; after which he thus 
makes his appeal. " I flatter myself the reader will acknow- 
ledge that I can have no other design in the publication of 
this little treatise, than the promotion of the general good ; 
nor can I express the uncommon satisfaction my mind has 
felt, not only in having frequently banished the small-pox, 
where that ' plague had actually begun,' but in receiving the 
most grateful testimonies of the people at large, for having 
persuaded them to submit to a discovery so secure, so bene- 
ficial, and so mild. Nor are the testimonies I receive from 
others, to whom I have communicated the knowledge of vacci- 
nation, less pleasant and gratifying to the feelings of my heart; 
while all of them unite with me in testifying that the longer 
they continue in the practice of vaccination, the more fully 
their minds are satisfied respecting the happy consequences 
that result therefrom. 

" In order to excite others to the luxury of doing so much 
good at so easy a rate, and (though it should sound a little 
like vanity, I shall have no need to blush) I give the reader a 
summary of the whole. Having had many fresh applicants 
for vaccination since this treatise has been in the press, 
including my list of those I have vaccinated in different parts 
of the country, with others whose names I never registered, 
and those also at Surrey Chapel, I have had very near nine 
thousand subjects almost under my immediate inspection. I 
may very moderately calculate another thousand who have 
been vaccinated through the instruction given by me to others. 
Now here is a list of ten thousand cases, near five thousand 



m 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



of whom were inoculated with my own hand, and not one evil 
consequence, as yet, has been heard of which has created the 
least alarm. And as for deaths merely by the cow-pock 
properly communicated, whatever other diseases may have 
proved mortal about the same time, the person who maintains 
that such a case ever did occur, proves himself ignorant and 
rash in a high degree. 

" But now the flattering calculation in favour of these 
exertions : — we will take the average of deaths by the small- 
pox to be rather under one in six: the vaccination of ten 
thousand subjects, therefore, produces the preservation of 07ie 
thousand six hundred lives. After having said so much I need 
not add, that next to attending upon the functions of my own 
calling, I never undertook a work so satisfactory to my own 
mind; nor can I sufficiently urge on others no longer to 
wait a single moment in hopes that the professional men will 
first begin. Let our exertions be universal, immediate, and 
zealous, and I am very sure a death by the small-pox will be 
brought forward as a very rare instance indeed ; in short, I 
believe that no one disease will be less fatal than that which 
is now so much the dreaded scourge of the human race. One 
sacred touch further, I would humbly beg to recommend to 
all my readers, whereby they may be secured from those evils 
which defile the soul infinitely greater than the worst of dis- 
eases, which pollute and defile the human frame ; and, blessed 
be God, that there is a power not less sovereign and effica- 
cious, which does the sacred work, and makes us wisely good, 
even the grace of God that bringeth salvation, and which 
teaches us, by an almighty and intuitive principle, to deny 
ungodliness and worldly lusts, as being beneath the dignity of 
our existence, if we exist in him, and divinely enables to 
" live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world." 

I have thus rescued from oblivion the contents of this sin- 
gular pamphlet, considering it amply entitled to a perpetua- 
tion, among other instances of his active zeal, his benevolence, 
his universal philanthropy^ and unceasing desire to benefit his 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



159 



fellow creatures. It deserves notice also in another point of 
view: I mean as one of the happiest efforts of Mr. Hill's 
style of writing. Throughout the whole pamphlet his feelings 
have been chastened and brought into a correspondence with 
his subject. We no where find him indulging his natural 
propensity to wit and sarcasm. He is pleading the cause of 
humanity, and he does it in a most becoming spirit and 
temper of mind Where censure is necessary he bestowed it, 
and inflicts chastisement where it was called for. Every page 
shows a just confidence in the goodness of the cause in which 
he was embarked, and his intrepidity was well calculated to 
embolden the timid and confirm the wavering, while his ele- 
vated situation and popularity must have rendered his example 
doubly influential. It has fallen to our lot to live in a day 
when all clamour against the practice of vaccination has 
ceased to be heard — but it would be unjust to the memory of 
Mr. Hill to overlook his noble exertions in buffetinof the 
storm of obloquy which raged in his day, or forget his dis- 
interested labours in procuring that calm which we now 
enjoy. " Others have laboured, and we are entered into their 
labours." 



SECTION VII. 

MR. hill's village DIALOGUES. 

We now approach the most elaborate, and the most popular 
of all Mr. Hill's productions; that on which his claims to 
authorship must mainly rest, namely, his " Village Dialogues.' ' 
This work first appeared about thirty years ago ; and, if we 
may credit the title-page of the edition of 1833, an impression 
has been called for annually, on an average of years ; for it 
professes to be the " thirtieth edition"— but fronte nvUa 
fides;'' booksellers are not always to be implicitly relied upon 



160 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



in these matters. If they were, we should say there had been 
thirty thousand copies of the work disposed of, which, in a 
publication of that extent, is hardly to be credited. Tliat the 
sale has been considerable, we have the testimony of Mr. Hill 
himself ; who, in the preface, written January 1824, at which 
time the work had been more than twenty years before the 
public, declares that the demand for it had been " far beyond 
his expectation." Up to that time, the Village Dialogues" 
had been comprised in two volumes, duodecimo. But the 
copyright falling into the hands of a spirited publisher, the 
author was induced to revise the whole for a new edition, 
which was to be stereotyped, and numerous additions being 
made to it, the work was enlarged to three volumes instead of two 
The additions which were at this time introduced, chiefly 
respect the Socinian controversy. Mr. Hill had recently 
been perusing Dr. Magee's work on Atonement and Sacrifice ; 
Dr. Wardlaw's Lectures on the Socinian Controversy; and 
Dr. Pye Smith's learned work on the Messiahship of Jesus 
Christ. Highly gratified with these valuable treatises, on this 
important subject, it struck him as a matter of regret, that such 
])ublications were too elaborate for general use, and that they 
still left readers of plainer understanding open to the attacks 
of those enemies of the faith once delivered to the saints. He 
conceived, therefore, " it might be beneficial to the souls of 
men, if some of the leading arguments on a subject of such 
high importance, were to be put into a more popular style ;" 
and that he attempted to do in this new edition of his " Village 
Dialogues." 

We learn from this preface that the author had been not a 
little annoyed by a variety of critics, tendering him their 
advice how to improve his performance ; who, nevertheless 
differed so widely in their opinions and views, as to render it 
quite impossible to please them all. " One set of them," he 
tells us," admires at least my humble attempt to fix an appro?; 
priate name to the different characters before they are dressed, 
that it may be known what is to be expected from each ot 



REV. ROWLAND HiLL. iGl 

tliem, like the running title of a book. Others, not woll 
versed in drama, tell me, that nothing should be discovered by 
name, because the character is anticipated before it ought^ 
Now, let it be supposed, that all these are discontinued, and 
the mere unsentimental names of Brown, Johnson, Hill,Wilson, 
&c. had been substituted, would such a cold conceit have 
gratified or displeased ? 

" Some have told me, that all ridicule is inconsistent with the 
temper and spirit which Christianity should inspire. Others have 
determined, that it is utterlv impossible to be too severe where 
folly and Avickedness are to be exposed ; especially where the 
dramatic dress covers all such attacks from the charge of per- 
sonal abuse. Some have supposed, that every attemp,t at 
pleasantry or wit, is utterly unallowable on a subject, whicli 
in itself, is so solemn and grave. Others have said, that sucli 
sallies of fancy, if innocent and within correct bounds, recre- 
ate the mind, engage the attention, and cannot be productive 
of any bad influence whatever ; and that the graver language 
of Scripture, written under the plenary inspiration of the Holy 
Spn-it (though, even there, such instances are not wantincr^) 
needs not to be the standard to regulate what we write for the 
instruction of each other. And, again; some have supposed 
that when a bad minister or character has been held forth as 
a proper example for reproof, it was meant as a S7ceepmg 
charge, without any discrimination. Others have thought, 
that if I have lashed characters who are bad, equal respect has 
been shewn, and in the same Hne, to those who are good; and 
if these different contrasted characters are not so regularly 
kept up, as might have been deemed requisite in the judg- 
ment of some; yet, they conceive the qua7iiim of good 
represented to be in existence, is quite equal to that which 
circumstances will allow us to suppose, from the depraved 
state of the world, through the wickedness of the human heart. 
Still, in some instances, I am satisfied I have been favoured 
with hints that will improve the work and tliese shall be 
thankfully adopted. 

M 



162 



ME^^OIRS OF THE 



" One set of critics, however, I shall entirely disregard; 
and, as in no one instance have I shown any favour towards 
them, so shall I expect none in return ; I mean the bigotry of 
every party. And, while they are so ignorant of their own 
spirit, as to sanction their sectarian principles, by masking their 
evils under the mild appellations of order, regularity, consis- 
tency, principle, discipline, steadiness, &c.; it would be in vain, 
were I so inclined, to attack them in return. But, I forbear 
to enter into a controversy with those who make the sacrament 
(viz. of the Lord's supper), the exclusive criterion of the sect 
to which they belong ; so contrary to the mind of Christ, and 
to the nature of that ordinance, in which all his living mem- 
oers are so solemnly directed to look upon themselves as one 
i]i Him." 

This last paragraph, for the substance of it, is only a repeti- 
tion of what has repeatedly come under our notice in other 
parts of Mr. Hill's writings. The truth is, the good man's 
mind was all awry upon this subject. So large and compre- 
hensive was his charity, that he could receive into his embrace 
almost any thing but a strict and conscientious adherence to 
the instituted order of Christ's house ; an inflexible determi- 
nation to be guided in all these affairs by the example of tlie 
aDOstolic churches ; this he called bigotry, and shewed it no 
favour. Let an individual, or a society of Christians deter- 
mine to i-eject all human authority in the concerns of rehgion; 
to have ' thus saith the Lord,' for all they beUeve and prac- 
tise ; to pay implicit deference to all the sayings of Christ and 
nis apostles ; to regard all the laws of his kingdom and ail nis 
institutions as of indispensible obhgation, and to have no 
religious fellowship with any pereons who can make light of, 
or disobey them ; and what, then ? Oh, this is sectarianism, 
unwarrantable strictness, the quintessence of bigotry ! Such 
is the spirit of that profane Catholic charity for which Mr. 
Hill was such a stickler; it can tolerate any thing rather 
than the genuine operation of conscience. Now, even though 
Mr. iliil could demonstrate, that ia some instances these rigid 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



163 



b/jwts. as he terms them, were in error, and mistook tbeir 
Lord's will (which he has never thought it worth his wliiie to 
attempt); vet, surelv, a deference to the authority of him who 
purchased them by his blood : a trembling at his word ; an 
anxious solicitude in all things to be found in the way of duty; 
in short, whatever betokens the action, operation, and exer- 
cise of conscience, ought to command our respect and vene- 
ration ; and should endear such persons to us ; whereas Mr. 
Hill never meets with them, but they become the objects of 
his vituperation, as in the paragraph lately quoted. He is 
delighted with such writers as Dr. Mason, of New York ; and 
the late Mr. Robert Hall, of Leicester; because, like himself, 
they wrote at random on the subject of communion, teaching 
men to make light of the commandments of God, when they 
stand in the way of their unauthorized Catholic Communion. 
This, those great men did, and taught others to do ; and the 
Saviour himself hath instructed us in w^hat estimation they are 
to be held in his kingdom, Matt. v. 19. I am perfectly aware 
of the specious pleas that are urged in behalf of this free and 
mixt and generous communion of Episcopalians and Presbyte- 
rians, and Protestant Dissenters, Psedobaptist and Anti-Psedo- 
baptist ; a communion which is no where exemplified in the 
New Testament, 'nor ever can be practised but at the expence 
of allegiance to Christ, and making light of his laws and 
institutions. Schism is, no doubt, an evil to be deplored ; 
but it will never be counteracted by removing any of the 
statutes and ordinances and enactments of Messiah's kingdom 
from the place which he has allotted them ; the only effectual 
wav of curing it, is to return to the rule laid down for us tc? 
walk bv,in the example of the first churches, and scrupulously 
: - to that. As Dr. Wardlaw has well observed, 
, . _.:u3t find out the rule, and stick by it." But not to 
enlarge on this point at present, I may remark, that in 
judging of the Village Dialogues, it is important to keep in 
vieAv the particular class of persons for whose instruction 
iv-J benefit the author intended them; and this is surB- 

M 2 



164 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



ciently indicated by the term " Village." Were we to 
lose sight of this, and criticise the performance as one 
designed for the use of educated persons inhabiting polished 
cities, we should do the author manifest injustice. Every 
one must admit that the propriety of any action must 
depend on circumstances, and to judge of the fitness or unfit- 
ness of a subject, or part of a subject, or manner of treating 
it, we must attend to the circumstances of the case. The 
colloquial or dialogue form of writing, which Mr. Hill adopted 
in these volumes, was doubtless very suitable to the capacities 
of the peasantry about Wotton Underedge, and other country 
villao-es : but it is not the most favourable for theoloo-ical dis- 
eussion, and would not have been chosen by the author, had 
the display of talent or learning been the object he had in 
view. Mr. Jay characterizes the Village Dialogues, as written 
in his own peculiar manner, with a great degree of Bunyan's 
imagination and tenderness. Another writer adds, that "they 
display a vast knowledge of the Bible; of men; and of tilings. 
The incidents are natural, the colloquies well sustained, and 
highly instructive and practical." But they are best described 
by Mr. Lacey, in the second volume of his " Public Charac- 
ters," p. 230, who thus speaks of them : " they well deserve 
the popularity they have met with, and will never cease, while 
sound piety in the English tongue can be read and relished, 
to form one of the chief and standard works of our popular 
religious literature. No other individual could have blended 
so much genuine wit and wisdom, with lessons of the purest 
morality, and doctrines and maxims of the sublimest piety. 
Some of the characters are drawn with inimitable skill, and 
with such truth to nature and fact, that the reader can scarcely 
be persuaded that he is not seeing and hearing the originals 
in all their rustic simplicity, or in all their clerical dignity 
and grace." 

I am more desirous of bringing forward the opinion of 
others respecting this vrork than of obtruding my own. But 
having been employed by the publisher, about ten years ago, 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



165 



to correct the punctuation (in which all Mr, Hill's pieces are 
miserably defective) previous to the volumes being stereotyped, 
I was laid under the necessity of carefully going through the 
whole, and, having at that time no great predilection for the 
dialogue form of writing, I remember to have been agreeably 
disappointed, and not a little pleased with certain parts of it, 
more especially with the strictures on Socinianism and Anti- 
nomianism. For though I should never regard Rowland Hill 
as " a cedar," in reference to theology, since in this point of 
view he can only be classed among " the fir trees" — ^yet the 
stress he invariably lays upon the person and atonement of 
Christ, in the matter of a sinner's salvation, and not less so 
on the holy influence of the truth wherever it is really under- 
stood and believed, must give pleasure to all who love the 
Saviour and have tasted that he is gracious. Add to which 
that the shrewdness of remark and power of intellect, every- 
where displayed, are more than sufficient to distinguish the 
author from the general run of clerical drones. One may 
readily credit the fact that the writing of the Village Dialogues, 
in which he had to accommodate his style to such a varietv of 
character, must have cost Mr. Hill more labour of intellect than 
all his other writings, where he had nothing to do but to put 
down upon paper his first thoughts as they occurred to him. 

The three volumes comprise fifty dialogues, the subjects of 
which are exceedingly miscellaneous— so much so, indeed, 
that they may almost be said to treat, " de omnibus rebus et 
quibusdam aliis." Cottage piety; genuine repentance; bap- 
tismal regeneration ; the evils of stage exhibitions ; utility of 
Sunday schools; evils of the slave trade; Socinianism un- 
masked; evils of seduction ; conjugal fidelity ; self-righteous- 
ness; sectarian bigotry; Antinomianism unmasked; enthu- 
siasm detected ; the rake's progress and ruin ; prison medita- 
tions : benevolence triumphant, &c. &c. are among the number 
of discussed subjects. 

The exjiose of Socinianism occupies five of the dialogues, 
and it is clear enough from the references ratKle to Dr. Priestlev's 



166 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



writings and those of Lindsey, Beisham, and others, that Mr. 
Hill had gone pretty fully into the investigation of their creed. 
The sixteenth dialogue presents us with a conversation on this 
topic, in which the principal speakers are the Kev. Mr. Spite- 
ful, Master of the Free Grammar School, in Envy Lane ; Maple- 
ton, a high and bigoted churchman ; Mr. Wisehead, a Socinian 
bookseller in the same town ; and Mr. Considerate, one of the 
Aldermen of Mapleton, who, though a member of the Church 
of England, helil Evangelical sentiments, and attended upon 
Mr. Lovegood's ministry. The conversation took place at old 
Madam Toogood's, over a dish of tea and a game of cards. 
Miss Polly Littleworth also made one of the company. The 
latter young lady had a wild rakish brother, who has been 
happily convinced of the error of his way by the preaching of 
Mr. Lovegood, the Evangelical Clergyman of Brookfield 
Church, and this introduces the conversation. 

Miss Polly apologizes for having kept the company waiting 
tea, which was occasioned by her having to call at the shop of 
Mr. Traffick, in her way thither, for some grocery and other 
goods. 

Rev. Mr Spiteful. I wonder that every body should be 
running to that shop, to support such a schismatical enthusiast, 
as though there were no other shops but his. I would turn 
my servant away if he should dare to go there for a hap^worih 
of sand. 

" Wisehead^ (the Socinian). I do not mean to displease 
you, Sir, by observing that such sort of illiberal expressions 
are ill-becoming a gentleman of a liberal education. Surely 
a man is not a Schismatic because he cannot conform to all 
the rules and doctrines of your national church. 

" Spiteful. Why is not ours the true national Church, as 
established by law ? 

" Wisehead Assuredly so, Sir: but it should be remem- 
bered, that when yours is but a new dissenting church from the 
old established Church of Rome, and that by such a dissent, 
you by no means admit her boasted infallibility ; there can be 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



167 



no great criminality if others choose to take a step further 
from your establishment. We cannot all think exactly alike. 
Besides, Sir, how can you call Mr. Traffic a Schismatic now 1 
for he has left our meetino' sometime since, though he and his 
family were always brought up among us, and regularly 
attends at Brookfield Church. 

" Spiteful. Worse and worse. What business has he, and 
a thousand more such run-about fellows, to leave their own 
proper parish churches where they ought to attend; for imme- 
diately as Lovegood is removed, all the mob that follows him 
will be off to different conventicles^ if they have not one of the 
same sort to preach what these canting hypocrites choose to 
call the Gospel. ^ 

"il/r. Considerate. Now, really, Sir, we get no good by 
such vehemence; for I verily conceive that no human laws have 
a right to force any one to worship contrary to their con- 
sciences. Nor can I suppose that Mr. Lovegood is to be 
blamed for filling his own Church, if no fault is to be found 
with others for emptying theirs, xlnd as to Mr, Traffic, if a 
man acts conscientiously in his business, I dont see what we 
have to do v/ith his religion, and I believe it is admitted on all 
hands, that he is very just and true in all his dealings. 

" Miss Polly. Sir, my father insists upon it that we must 
all run galloping to that shop. I hardly think he would let 
our Sam wear livery, if he did not send there for all the trim- 
mings : and when T was there, to be sure, how he held forth 
behind the counter, as though he had been in a pulpit, about 
the miraculous conversion of my brother, as he called it. I am 
sure of late we are quite suffocated (surfeited) with religion in 
our house. 

'^^ Spite. Yes, conversion: this is a mighty word with 
them ; for it seems that not only such men as your bi other, 
who was once so wild, and is now become so sanctified^, but 
every one who steps aside from their strict notions of religion, 
they suppose to be no better than heathens, and they must all 
I'O converted or be damned. Mr. Wlsehead, you are a man of 



168 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



reading: I dare say you admit the justice of my remarks 
against these enthusiasts. 

" Wise. Why, Sir, if you can talk with more prudence 
and moderation upon these subjects, I shall have no objection 
to answer you. In my opinion, however, it is very injudicious 
to bring forward the words conversion and regeneration, as 
though they could be in any sense applicable among us 
Christians in the present day. They were only designed for 
primitive times, when people were brought over from being 
Jews or Pagans, to be of the Christian religion : but how can 
any of us be converted to a religion, to which we are converted 
alread}^ 

" Consid. What then. Sir, do you think that Henry Little- 
worth was a Christian, when he and his comrades kept our 
town in a perpetual uproar : and when one evening they got 
from your barber, one of your old wigs, and put it on an ass's 
head, and then drove him down the town, and into your shop, 
saying, the ass was come to sup with his brother, Mr. Wise- 
head ? 

" Wise. Certainly, Sir, these were very unwise and irra- 
tional steps in that giddy youth ; notwithstanding, it would be 
the highest reflection upon the Supreme Being, to suppose we 
have not, within ourselves, from the principles of natural 
religion^ sufficient powers to reform ourselves from any vicious 
courses when we like. For what purpose has the Almighty 
given to every man both reason and conscience, if these were 
not adequate to the reformation of mankind ? 

" Consid. Wliy, really, Sir, I can't see what great matters 
reason has ever done in the reformation of mankind. She 
seems to stand aside and let nine-tenths act by mere passion 
and appetite : and as for conscience, I am sure, among thou- 
sands, that acts like an unfaithful and intoxicated watchman, 
without either eyes or brains. I believe that my wife's minister 
is quite right in his doctrine, that all the faculties of the 
human mind are exceedingly vitiated and depraved ; and till 
God mends reason and conscience, they will never mend us. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



169 



But pray, Sir, did you ever meet with any of these rational 
converts in any of your travels ? and is it not very strange that 
your Doctor should have to bestow so many of his rational 
lectures on a set of almost empty pews ? 

" Wise. We cannot account for such extraordinary events ; 
but still we believe that if we could make the common people 
more rational, we should be better attended — if mankind are 
vicious it is their own fault, for we may all be good if we will, 

" Consid. Certainly so. See, Madam, how that cat is 
a-licking and cleaning herself all over. 

" Mrs. Toogood. Oh, Sir, she is a lovely delicate creature. 

" Consid. [To Mr. Wisehead.] Then I suppose the cat has 
a will to be clean, and she proves the point, she may be clean, 
if she will. [To Miss Polly.] Now Miss Polly Littleworth, 
did you ever see any of your father's hogs sit upright, and 
wash and clean themselves with their fore-feet like that cat? 
and however awkwardly they might do it, yet they certainly 
may if they will; but, alas, they want the will. 

''Spite. Well, such a thought, had I lived a thousand 
years, would never have entered my brains; but, pray, are we 
to be compared to hogs and cats ? 

" Consid. Why, in the Bible, men have been compared to 
brutes before now: to lions, bears, tigers, or leopards, wolves, 
foxes, and dogs, and to birds also not less ravenous than such sort 
of beasts, to eagles, vultures, ravens and others ; yea, and to the 
worst of reptiles, to vipers themselves. But I only ask, if ever 
there was found that creature, either among men or brutes, 
that could will contrary to his inclination or disposition? 
What then can we mean by saying, we may all be good if we 
will? who, in his senses, ever denied it? Just so bad men z^;?*// 
be bad, and good men will be good. Is not every one's will 
regulated by his disposition ? Such, however, is the glib non-. 
sense of the day. 

" Wise. I hope. Sir, you do not think that we rational 
dissenters talk nonsense ; but according to your notions, ^andl 
would not wish to misunderstand you, as I believe you have a 



170 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



good hearty and mean well) man is a mere machine— and 
there is an end to all distinction between virtue and vice in 
man, if we are obliged to act according to our dispositions, 
and have no power to correct them. 

" 3Iad. Toogood. Oh ! shocking, shocking, Mr. Considerate, 
I never thought you could believe in such bad notions ot 
religion. I am very sorry to hear that of late 3^ou have been 
such a strict follower of Lovegood. I am sure he preaches 
very wicked doctrines ; and if none of us are to be rewarded 
for the practice of our morality, 1 don't see why we should 
give ourselves so much trouble about it. 

" i^pite. Yes, Madam, and such are the tenets held forth 
at Brookfield Church. I suppose that Atheism will be preached 
there next. 

" Consid, Now I beg, Sir, you would be a little more dis- 
passionate, and give me a calm answer to the following ques- 
tions : supposing you should ask any of the wild sparks in our 
town the reason why they gave way to such courses, what do 
von think would be their answer ? Why that they were over- 
powered by temptation and inclination before they submitted 
to such ways. 

" Spite. I suppose they might, Sir, but what of that ? 

" Consid. Then it seems they wanted strength or power to 
resist, and that reason and conscience did them no good, and 
that they were conquered by the wicked inclinations and cor- 
ruptions of their hearts. 

Spite. But if you make it out that these people acted 
against their wills in what they did, T can see no harm in any 
of their wicked tricks. 

Consid. Stop, Sir, you go on too fast : did I suppose they 
acted against their wills, when they acted according to their 
inclinations ? Is not every man's will and inclination virtually 
the same? And are not people with bad inclinations, ivilfully 
wicked? while others with good inclinations are ivillhigly 
pious. I think, Mr. Wisehead, the will is nothing but the 
servant of the understanding and inclinations 



REV. ROWLAND HiLL. 



171 



" Wise. Really, Sir, jour question is so intricate and im- 
portant, I would rather take some time to consider that point. 

" Spite. Why, where is the difficulty of answering that 
question ? What has the understanding or inclination to do 
with the will, have we not all a free will to act as we like best 
Had I not a free will to come here, and must I not have a fr-ee 
will to o^o home asrain ? 

" Consid. Pray, Sir, have you a free will to throw yourself 
into the fire, or jump into the water, or to go to Brookfield 
Church next Sunday ? 

Spite. How can a man have a free will to do those things 
v/hich he naturally hates ? 

" Consid. Why then, having no inclination to throw your- 
self into the fire or water, or to go to Brookfield Church, there 
would be no getting you to do these things but by force. Now 
I always thought with you, ever since I have considered this 
point, that ever}^ man's will must be free to follow his inclina- 
tions and dispositions; and tlia.t is the reason why the world 
lives so wickedly, because they like it best. And I think if 
you had attended more to the feelings of your own mind, and 
the niinds of others, you would have found it out, that all people 
act according to their inclinations and dispositions whether 
good or bad • and that the understandino- debates accordino- to 
the object set before it; next comes the choice, and the will at 
last determines to pursue the object that is suggested by the 
inclinations, digested by the understanding, and preferred by 
the choice : in short, to talk about free will, is but puttiiig the 
cart before the horse : for, of this I am persuaded, we never act 
but as we are acted upon, and that good or evil is the result of 
all actions, according to the habit of the mind. 

' Spite. Then we are all like pumps or wheel-barrows, and 
not rational creatures. I am for rationed religion with Mr. 
W^isehead. 

Consid. And so am I too. Sir; but though rational crea- 
tures make machines, yet there is no rationality in the machine 
itself. Now I believe every man exercises his reason a.ccord~ 



172 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



mg to his nature and disposition, and when 1 suppose the pure 
and holy word of God is proposed to the choice of ail, they who 
reject it do it with the utmost freedom of the will, because the^ 
dislike it, and that all good men have exactly the same free- 
dom of will in the choice of good : ' for if the Son make us 
free, we shall be free indeed.' And when we are commanded 
to ' work out our salvation with fear and trembling that we 
may properly work at all, we are told, ' it is God that worketh 
in us to will and to do of his good pleasure,' and that we are 
made his ' willhig people in the day of his power.' So that 
instead of being an enemy to rational religion, I cannot see how 
there can be any religion that is not rational. 

" Spite. Where, Sir, in the name of wonder, did you get 
all these cramp expressions from ? 

Consid. Why, Sir, from a book I am ashamed I have 
paid so little attention to till of late, the Bible; and while you 
and Mr. Wisehead are attempting to explain away ail those 
fine strong expressions of conversion, regeneration, a new 
creation ; and the like, I have of late seen that a peculiar 
wisdom and glory belong to them ; and that it is no unmeaning 
abstruse metaphor, but a plain downright matter of fact ; thai 
^ except a man be born again, he cannot enter the kingdom oi 
God.'" This ends the first conversation between the parties 
But the subject is resumed in dialogue seventeen, by Mr. Con- 
siderate thus interrogating — ■ 

" Consul I should be glad to know, if any further dispute 
should arise between us, how far we are to settle the conversa- 
tion by the Bible, for I suspect your notions of the Bible are 
very loose : at least, as I suppose. 

" Wise. Just so far, Sir, as it is consistent with reason, 
and no further. I never can believe that which contradicts my 
rjason. 

' Consid. Indeed, Sir, if this be tlie case we are likely to 
be terribly misguided; while reason, among our ignorant and 
b^'Tiighted race appears to be so much under the influence of 
pr-iiulice and pa^-sion. If tv/enty men of different persuasions, 



REV. ROWLAND HILL- 



173 



be called together, however flatly they may contradict each 
other, they would all tell you they are guided by reason, 

" Spite. Well, Sir, for all that, I am quite of Mr. Wise- 
head's opinion, that we have no business with the Bible when 
jt flatly contradicts our reason ; though in all points we may 
not understand it. It would surely be a fine thing, if we were 
to believe what we cannot comprehend, or else go to hell and 
be damned ! 

" Consid. Why then, Sir, am I so to understand you and 
Mr. Wisehead, as to suppose you are Atheists, for you cannot 
comprehend the incomprehensible attributes of God; or that 
you do not believe your own existence, because you cannot 
understand the nature of that existence 1 If you and Mr. Wise- 
head are only to believe the Bible so far as you can compre- 
hend it, that book, in your opinion, is no better than a mere 
history of uncertain events ; and then, notwithstanding reve- 
lation, we have nothing left us but to guess at religion as well 
as we can, and what sort of guess-work this has proved, evea 
among the most cultivated of the heathen nations, is evident 
enough. 

" Wise. Sir, I believe the book, which we generally call the 
Bible, is but little more than the works of good men, subject 
to the same infirmities as ourselves, who, though they mignt 
have written according to the best of their judgments, were 
stili frequently warped by their national prejudices, in favour 
of their own religion. 

" Consid. Indeed, gentlemen, if the word conversion should 
be inapplicable to young Mr. Henry Littleworth, yet it cannot 
be unsuitable to either of you ; for Jews, Mahomedans, and 
even Pagans, believe some things contained in the Bible as well 
as yourselves : while neither you nor they give any more credit 
to it, as the " Book of Revelation^' than 1 do the history of 
Robinson Crusoe. 

" B^pite. Why really, Mr. Wisehead, I begin to be afraid 
we are going rather too far ; this is making out the Bible to be 
but little better than an old, ill-written, ecclesiastical history 



174 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



Though I don't at all approve of Lovegood's notions the more 
for that. 

" Wise. Indeed, Sir, if you wish to know more correctly 
* my opinion, what a Christian is bound to believe, with respect 
to the Scriptures, I am not afraid to answer, that the books 
which are universally received as authentic, are to be consi- 
dered as faithful records of past transactions.' ' No Christian 
is answerable for more than this ; the writers of the books ot 
Scripture were men^ and therefore fallible; but all that we 
have to do with them, is in the character of historians and wit- 
nesses of what they heard and saw. Of course, their credibility 
is to be estimated like that of other historians, viz. from the 
circumstances under which they wrote, as with respect to their 
opportunities of knowing the truth of what they relate, and the 
biasses to whichthey might be subject. Like all other historians, 
they are liable to mistakes, with respect to things of small 
moment, because they might not give sufficient attention to them : 
and with respect to their reasonings, we ^xefulhj at liberty to 
judge of them as well as of those of other men, by a due con- 
sideration of the propositions they advance, and the arguments 
they allege.' ' And if such men have even communications 
with the Deity, it by no means follows that they are, in other 
respects, more wise and knowing than other men*.' This 
point, I suppose to be proved by the lame account Moses has 
given of the creation and fall of man, not having the means of 
exact information ! So that to suppose ' the books of Scripture 
were written by particular divine inspiration, is a thing to 
which the writers themselves make no pretensions; it is a 
notion destitute of all proof, and that has done great injury to 
the evidences of Christianity As to St. Paul's Epistles, 
therefore, and the other epistles, I never can admit that the 
authors of them were immediately inspired for the purpose of 

* See Priestley's Letters to a Philosophical Unbeliever, Part 11.. Pref 
p. xiii., and Lett. V. 
t Priestley. 

% Priestley's Letters, p. 58, 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



175 



writing tliem; and many of our rational divines have thought 
them in many instances unintelligible and absurd, 

Consid. ell, Sir, this is speaking out with a witness, i 
don't think one Deist in ten would have spoken more decidedly 
against the Scriptures. Pray, Sir, if such be your judgment 
of the Epistles, what are we to think of the Gospels ? 

Wise. O, Sir! I have no doubt but all the four evan- 
gelists, as they are called, were very honest men, and that 
they wrote ' the history of J esus,' according to the best of 
their judgment ; though we suspect their genuine histories 
have been intermixed with many interpolations ; and it appears 
that * some texts of the Old Testament have been improperly 
quoted by writers of the New,' who it seem.s were sometimes 
'misled by Jewish prejudices*.' Surely, therefore, it must 
be owned, that ' some obscurity is left in the Scriptures them- 
selves, which might readers, full of heathen prejudices, 
and so left it should seem, to whet human industry and the 
spirit of inquiry ; f and the Bereans are commended for not 
taking the word even of an apostle, but examining the Scrip 
tures for themselves, whether the doctrine which they heard 
was true, and whether St. Paul's reasoning was just J.' Suchj 
Sir, are the sentiments of all the great divines of our denomi- 
nation, who have written on the subject, 

" Consid. Are we then to suppose, that the Bereans 
searched the Old Testament Scriptures under any other idea, 
but that their decisions were definitive? I should have 
thought that when they searched the Scriptures, it was not 
with a design to examine whether they were right or wrong, 
but rather that they referred to them as an infalhble guide. It 
they had only to look into the lame account which Moses has 
given of these matters, I do not know that any thing but con - 
fusion could be the result of their diligence. 



* Theological Repository quoted in Fuller's Systems^ 

Lindsey's Apology, ch. II. 
X Belshauf s Sermon on tlie Importance of Truth p. 39. 



176 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



" Wise. Wei], well, Sir, I cannot give up the point ; we 
must be guided by our own reason, as it respects revelation. 

" Consid. Allow me, then. Sir, to ask you this plain ques- 
tion : If we are to be guided alone by our reason, while we 
are at liberty to doubt every word of revelation, are we to 
call this Infidelity or Christianity ? or is not downright Deism, 
far more rational and consistent 1 

" Wise. O, Sir, we are still believers in the Christian 
religion. 

" Consid. Why, then Christian believers are at liberty to 
doubt the certainty of every truth of revelation itself ; I beg 
leave, therefore, further to ask, if this be Christianity, what is 
Infidelity ? 

" Wise. Sir, the question is easily answered; some few 
infidels doubt whether there ever was such a person as Jesus 
Christ; and others of them think there is no future state; but 
we all believe there will be a future state, and that there was 
such a person as Jesus, the Son of Mary ; but then we do not 
conceive ourselves bound to believe the story of his miracu- 
lous conception, or his pre-existence, as it is called; or the 
strange, inconsistent, mysterious doctrine of the Trinity : and 
among other ' Corruptions of Christianity,' contrary to what 
we esteem the rational and the ' true gospel of Christ,' we 
reject what is commonly called the ' doctrine of the atone- 
ment:' in every shape, and under every modification of it, ' it 
is unfounded in the Christian revelation*.' Nor can we 
believe, that there is any such being as the Holy Spirit. 
Consequently we have nothing to do with the abstruse notion 
of regeneration, or, as it is called, the work of the Spirit : we 
believe that such sort of expressions are to be taken as mere 
■figurative language,' and that it only means a good dispo- 
sition. We, therefore, consequently deny the popular doctrine 
of original sin, as there is quite as much virtue as vice in the 
world. We have no doubt at all as to the devil, that he is 



* Belsham's Caution against Popular Errors, p. 15. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



entirely a fabulous character ; and as to what is said concerning 
those who are possessed of the devil, it were irrational to sup- 
pose that it could mean any thing further than that 'they 
were mad, or had hysteric fits !' As to the existence of angels, 
though there are frequent allusions to it in the New Testa- 
ment, yet it is 'a doctrine that cannot be proved, or made 
probable from the light of nature and what have we to do 
with the New Testament, while it contradicts the light of 
nature ? Notwithstanding, therefore, the allusion^ we choose 
to say, ' this is no where taught as a doctrine of revelation. 
A judicious Christian, therefore, will discard it from his creed; 
and that, not only as a groundless, but as a useless and per- 
mcious tenet, which tends to diminish our regard to the 
omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent God, and to excite 
superstitious respect to, and unreasonable expectations from 
imaginary and fictitious beings When, therefore, we hear 
how Jesus was tempted of the devil in the wilderness, it was 
(for we always talk very rational in our way) only an allusion 
to a fictitious being ! and the proper and most rational meaning 
is, that he was fighting with some good and bad thoughts 
which alternately possessed him ; but such were the Eastern 
metaphors and Oriental figures then in use. 

" Consid. Then, Sir, might it not have sounded still more 
rational, had you made it out, that he was fighting with two 
Eastern metaphors, or Oriental figures? — that when the angel 
spoke to Zacharias about the birth of our Lord, he should not 
have said, ' I am Gabriel,' but ' I am an Oriental figure V 
and that it was nothing but an Oriental figure that spoke to 
Mary on the same subject ? And that Eastern metaphors, or 
Oriental figures appeared unto the shepherds, and sang ' Glory 
to God in the highest, on earth peace, goodwill towards men :' 
and then again, that our Lord had another meeting of these 
Eastern metaphors and Oriental figures in the mount of trans- 
figuration? that an Eastern metaphor opened the prison in 



' Brl&haiH*? Caution, p. 21. 
N 



178 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



which Peter was confined, and that an Oriental figure knocked 
off his fetters ? that Paul was converted at the sight of these 
Eastern metaphors ? that Stephen saw somewhat of the like 
sort when he was stoned ? and that an Eastern metaphor stood 
by Paul when near shipwrecked? And if these be not 
enough, I could give you some further lucubrations on your 
rational way of explaining these Eastern metaphors." 

In a long note introduced at this part of the dialogue, 
Mr. Hill pursues the subject of Oriental figures and Eastern 
metaphors, and most triumphantly exposes the absurdity of 
this Socinian method of explaining away what the scriptures 
teach us concerning angels and spirits : thus according to 
them, Beelzebub, the prince of the devils, is — the prince of 
the Eastern metaphors. " Unto which of the angels, i. e. 
Oriental figures, said he, at any time, ' This day have I 
begotten thee?'" Again, "Let all the angels of God, i. e. 
Eastern metaphors, worship him." Our Lord cast out a 
whole legion of Eastern metaphors from the man among the 
tombs — and it was several of these tropical figures that pos- 
sessed two thousand swine at the same time, and alarmed 
them in such a manner as to drive them into the sea. More- 
over, according to this manner of interpretation, " thrones, 
dominions, principalities, and powers" — ^these are only Eastern 
metaphors ! Christ spoiled principalities and powers — that is, 
he spoiled Eastern metaphors and Oriental figures ! The 
angels, i. e. Oriental figures, kept not their first estate ! Thus 
he proceeds at considerable length in showing up the wisdom 
of those men who boast of the rationality of their religion, 
and concludes with observing that " if this be not sufficient to 
expose the folly of the Saddusaic spirit of the day, nothing is.*' 

The subject which comes next under discussion is the person 
and character of our Lord Jesus Christ, and is introduced by 
Mr. Considerate asking whether the Socinian system has 
nothing to do with infidelity ? 

" Wisehead. Sir, we disown the charge; we are not such 
infidels as to disowa the divine mission of Jesus, though we 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



179 



believe lae is in himself to be considered 'as a mere man, the 
son of Joseph and Mary, naturally as weak^ fallible, and as 
peccable as other men, possessed of no natural advantages over 
his father, or any other man in a similar situation in Judea*:' 
in short, though he natumlly was subject to the very sa^me 
infirmities, ignorance, and prejudices as other menf ; yet that 
he was commissioned by the Supreme Being, to instruct man- 
kind in pure principles of morality, so far as he undei-stood 
them ; for, ' though we admit that Jesus taught the truth in a 
popular way, yet we very much doubt whether in some 
instances, he properly and accurately understood it ! ! ! J' 

" Consid. Is this the voice of Mr. Wisehead, or the ghost 
of some departed infidel that is uttering such dangerous ai\d 
profane insinuations [he should have added the epithet hlas- 
fhemous'] against the person, and even moral character of our 
blessed Lord? If this be his just character, what good can 
we get by following such an uncertain leader ? and what can 
we expect from the Bible itself, but that it will distract and 
puzzle the minds of all who read it V 

Various other topics are now brought under discussion, such 
as the doctrine of an intermediate state, or a state of conscious 
existence between death and the resurrection; concerning 
which Mr. Wisehead remarks, that "this must be discarded, 
if we are desirous to regulate our faith by the standard of 
reason, of truth, and of Christianity," (quoting the words of 
Mr. Belsham,) " and another great divine, who is venerated 
as the patriarch of our Unitarian Theology, gives it as his 
opinion, that ' there is no more reason why a man should be 
supposed to have an immaterial principle than a dog§ " and 
from the same rational piinciples he concludes against the 
pre -existence of Jesus Christ. 

From this the parties proceed to " the obligation of Sub- 

* Priestley's Letters to Dr. Home, p. 21. 
t Palmer's Inquiry, p. 447- 
X Priestley on Necessity. 
§ Priestley's Controversy with Horsley., 
N 2 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



batical institutions," which is pronounced mere Jewish rubbish 
— ^then " the plenary inspiration of the holy Scriptures," which 
is deemed an error that an inquisitive and judicious Christian 
will see abundant reason to discard, according to Mr. Belsham's 
Cautions^ p. 27. Having disposed of these matters, Mr. 
Wisehead takes occasion to remark, that "there are some 
visionary notions about intellectual happiness, swimming upon 
the surface of some people's brains, about a heaven, inde 
pendent of a material existence ; and as our reason will not 
allow us to suppose there is any existence but that which is 
material, so we consequently expect a material heaven, made 
up of some of the same enjoyments we have in our present 
state. 

" Consid. Then it should seem your notions of heaven are 
very nearly similar to those of a another great divine in the 
east, from whence the metaphors come. Doctor Mohammed, 
who was also in many other points of your way of thinking; 
and he was quite as much a believer in Jesus, as a great 
prophet, as yourselves. Count Swedenburgh has also diverted 
his admirers with the same sort of speculation respecting his 
Tiews of a material heaven. Sir, will you entertain us a little 
longer with a further descant on your material heaven ? 

" Wise. Sir, though you seem to ridicule my notions of a 
future state, yet I shall not be afraid to give you a full view of 
the happiness expected after the resurrection, by those of our 
denomination, in the words of one of our loisest and most 
ra^20wa/ divines : [Dr. Priestley] 'The change of our condition 
by death, may not be so great as we are apt to imagine : as 
our natures will not be changed, but only improved, we have 
no reason to think that the future world (which will be adapted 
to our merely improved nature) will be materially difterent 
from this. And indeed why should we ask or expect any 
thing more ? If we should still be obliged to provide for our 
subsistence by exercise or labour, is that a thing to be com- 
plained of by those who are supposed to have acquired fixed 
habits of industry, becoming rational beings, and who have 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



181 



ever been able to bear the languor of absolute rest, or indo- 
*.ence? Our future happiness has with much reason been 
supposed to arise from an increase of knowledge. But if we 
should have nothing more than the means of knowledge fur- 
nished us as we have here, and be left to our own labour to 
find it out, is that to be complained of by those who will have 
acquired both d^love ofiruth^ and a habit of enquiring after it? 
To make discoveries ourselves, though the search may require 
time and labour, is unspeakably more pleasing than to learn 
every thing by the information of others. If the immortality 
that is promised to us in the Gospel, should not be necessary 
and absolute^ and we should only have the certain means of 
making ourselves immortal, we should have much to be thank- 
ful for. What the Scriptures inform us concerning a future 
life, is expressed in general terms, and often in figurative 
language, A more particular knowledge of it is wisely con- 
cealed from us *.' " 

It is needless to lay before the reader the exclamations, and 
testimonies of disgust and horror which now ensued, as the 
Socinian creed began increasingly to develope itself Even 
Madam Toogood is horrified — declares that such talk is worse 
than cursing and swearing — while Mr. Considerate pronounces 
such sort of Christianity worse than downright Deism, and 
thinks that nothing is now left them but positively to deny the 
miracles of our Lord, and the resurrection, which is still more 
beyond the reach of reason, than any other doctrine of 
revelation ; and then Mr. Wisehead would become as complete 
a deist as Hume, Gibbon, or the vulgar blasphemous Tom 
Paine. 

The merits of the Improved Version," is brought under 
consideration in a subsequent dialogue, and reference made to 
the gloss there put upon John i. 1 — 3; Col. i. 16, &c.; Phil, 
ii. 5 ; and various other portions of Scripture, which have more 
immediate reference to the divinity of the Saviour: but all 



* Dr. Priestley's Sermon on tl\e Death of Robert, Robinson, p. 18. 



182 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



tJlis is preliminary to a discussion which ensues on the ah 
important doctrine of the priesthood of Christ; his atonement 
and sacrifice, which are the great subject of the epistle to the 
Hebrews, and I may also add, the foundation of a sinner's 
hope of pardon, acceptance, and eternal life. This interesting 
topic takes two dialogues, viz. nineteen and twenty ; and it is 
in this part of his work that our author more especially avails 
himself of the labours of Drs. Wardlaw and Magee. The 
result of the whole discussions is thus summed up. 

" Where the foundation of our hope is assailed, it becomes 
us to contend earnestly for the faith once dehvered to 
the saints. We have seen what Socinians make of the 
Scriptures : some of them they have marked by their Itahcs, as 
being of doubtful authority: others by their bad criticisms they 
have endeavoured to explain away : while the whole of them, 
as they say, were written by inconclusive reasoners^ whose 
minds were ivarped hy prejudices^ and who were liable to be 
deceived ; so that it would be absurd to argue with them from 
these premises, if they had not set us the example. 

"I ask, therefore, whether there is any one of the leading 
truths of revelation, as in general received among Christians, 
which they do not deny, excepting the doctrine of the resurrec- 
tion from the dead, though even in this they deny the existence 
of a conscious life till after the resurrection takes place. It is 
somewhat remarkable and curious, that while they have a right 
to judge of revelation by their reason, they say they believe in 
the resurrection from the dead. Now, I ask whether there be 
any one truth in the Bible more mysterious, and more com 
pletely beyond the reach of human reason, than that very 
doctrine; and if they, according to their assertion, are not to 
believe what they cannot comprehend, can we give them the 
least credit, when they say they believe in the resurrection from 
the dead? 

" But it may be said, if their flat and uninteresting system 
has nothing in it likely to-attract the notice of mankind, why 
enter into a tedious controversy when no bad consequences 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



183 



are likely to be the result; I answer, every person has a deal 
of natural infidelity in his heart. Socinianism and infidelity 
are near akin ; and it is found a convenient stage for those 
who want a religion which allows a nearer conformity to the 
world, to stop some where short of Deism ; and Socinianism 
seems to correspond with the wishes of their hearts. As 
some awkward efforts have been made, and are now making, to 
propagate these sentiments, others should be on the alert, and 
watch their progress. 

" I therefore conceived, that an abridged state of the con- 
troversy, through the medium of these Dialogues, which have 
excited the public attention far beyond my expectations, might 
be of general good. Many most elaborate treatises are before 
the public on this controversy; but, though inestimable in 
themselves, they are beyond the reach of many, owing to their 
price, and above the capacity of the generality of readers. In 
these additional dialogues, I have taken some pains to com- 
press much in a little room ; and have not entered deeply into 
any of those criticisms which might have rendered the subject 
uninteresting and dry ; and so far as any of my plain readers 
are preserved from being drawn into the fatal vortex of 
Socinanism, I have my reward. 

" If any of the Socinians complain of the style in which 
they have been treated, or of the language which has been 
used, they are only requested to look at their own, and to 
remember the heavy charges they have thought proper to 
exhibit against us, for our irrational idolatry (as they term it) 
and for our belief of many truths, which we conceive to be 
scriptural, though inconsistent, in their esteem, with common 
sense. 

" Socinian- and Deists are in perfect unison with each other, 
respecting the natural powers of man to regulate and reform 
himself Here, the Socinians, in no degree fettered by the 
cold consent they give to the divine records, even with the 
Bible before them, by denying the existence of the Holy 
Spirit, deny at the same time all his powerful operations on 



184 



WKMOiilS OF THE 



the human heart. What a stab is this to the vital principle 
whereby alone we are enabled to love God ! Every error is 
but Antinomianism in disguise. Nothing but the pure truths 
of the Gospel will ultimately lead to purity of life. May my 
dear readers prove their faith to be genuine by ever producing 
those ' fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto' 
the glory and praise of God !' " 

Mr. Hill has two dialogues, viz. xl. and xli., entitled " An- 
tinomianism Unmasked in which he is generally supposed 
to have very successfully combatted the system of Hyper- 
Calvinism, now much in vogue among the followers of the late 
William Huntington; and, unfortunately, not among them 
only, but which has also inoculated many churches both of the 
Paedobaptist and Anti-Psedobaptist denominations. It cannot 
therefore be amiss to introduce in this place, the substance of 
what Mr. Hill has written in the way of exposure of the 
system. Dialogue xl. is introduced by the following letter 
'rom a young clergyman of the name of Merryman, curate of 
Sandover, to an elderly minister of the name of Lovegood ; 
and, who, by the bye, may be regarded as Mr. Hill's repre- 
sentative throughout the whole of these volumes. 

" Mv DEAR Sir — As you allow me to consult you without 
reserve, and under every difficulty, I must inform you of some 
recent events which have filled me with the most serious 
apprehensions, lest the peace and prosperity which have 
hitherto so happily prevailed, should be interrupted by the 
vain-janglings of some who are attempting to make their 
inroads among us. 

" 1 am quite surprised, that no body of respectable Dissen- 
ters have found their way into the town, while most of the 
inhabitants are in gross ignorance, excepting some Baptists, 
and a very few Quakers, of whom it seems there are but three 
families in the town. These collect together every Sunday 
morning, in a large room, contiguous to the house of one of 
them; but as they seldom have any public speaking among 
them, very little is known concerning them; though I fear 



REV. ROWLAND HiLL. 



185 



they are but ill-acquainted with the doctrinb of the atonement, 
and reconciliation with God through the sacrifice of Christ; 
yet, I find them very kind and innocent neighbours, and an 
happy to treat them in return with all the civility and attention 
in my power. In our evening lecture, some of them frequently 
steal into the Chapel, and affectionately acknowledge that 
they receive good from what tbey hear. 

" I wish I could speak as favourably of the Baptists ; for [ 
fear the one depend too much on their sanctification for their 
justification : not a few of the others deny the need of personal 
sanctification altogether; though I am happy to find many 
favourable exceptions to the general remark. You know the 
character of their old minister. He has been riiiging changes^ 
these forty years upon eternal justification^ and what he calls 
imputed sanctification^ and the perseverance of the saints, 
which seems little better than a sort of inconsistent persever- 
ance in laziness and security, after they have persuaded 
themselves to rest in a self- conceited confidence that they 
are right, without any evidence of the fact; while the practical 
and preceptive parts of scripture are treated by them with 
stranoe neoflect. 

" It seems this old man has lately heard of some new 
seceders from the Church, with whom he is highly delighted, 
because they have adopted his sentiment about baptism, and 
have been re-baptized by immersion. One of these he has, 
unhappily for me, introduced into his pulpit, and curiosity has 
invited many to hear what this new light has to advance ; and 
alas ! I am sorry to say, there are some who are fascinate^ 
with, they know not what: while many artful inuendoes are 
introduced that they now hear the gospel fully, which was not 
he case before ; intermixed at the same time with such horrid 
nsinuations, as are in my opinion, most intolerably profane; 
that ' the greatest sins we can commit, can never alter our 
state, as it respects the covenant of grace ;' and that ' God can 
never be angry with his elect, even when they commit the 
worst 01 crnues ' 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



" Are we then to suppose that we are in the covenant of 
grace, without the grace of the covenant? and how can people 
in such a gracious state^ be guilty of the worst of crimes ? atid 
can they imagine the holy God can so alter his nature, as to 
see sin, and not hate it, if he finds it even in an angel ? 
Surely, if he pardons the criminal, he hates the crime; and 
can such pardoned sinners dare to ' continue in sin, that 
grace may abound V Must not every real Christian hate the 
thought? I trust, the first moment I was convinced of sin, I 
began to dread the commission of it worse than hell itself : 
what then can be the use of such strange, unwarrantable 
expressions, but to make loose-minded people looser still, and 
to cause the enemies of God to blaspheme the doctrine of our 
free forgiveness throuojh Jesus Christ? 

" Notwithstanding their doctrine is so disgusting, as well as 
dangerous, the bewitchery has actually succeeded upon the 
minds of some. One positive old woman, whose tempers at 
all times are the most inconsistent and unsubdued, goes 
prating about the town, crying in the wretched cant of the 
party, that she has found out why she could never get any 
comfort to her soul under my preaching, because I insisted 
upon it, that ' God's elect should be made more holy than he 
himself ever designed they should be and that, ' as God has 
strengthened her faith, she shall never fear about her sins and 
corruptions as she has done ; that she is now sure she believes, 
and therefore she is safe, and nobody shall shake her confidence 
any more all her days;' while her husband says of her, ' that 
she is such an arrant termagant, that she ought to be ducked 
every day of her life for sculding.' I am happ}^, however, to 
find, that two or three of the most judicious and correct of the 
Baptists, begin to recoil at what they have lately heard, and 
aware of the danger that arises from preaching the mere 
skeleton truths of the gospel, without their practical effects and 
consequences on the heart ; so that if a few of my congrega- 
tion seem to be fascinated by these vain disputants, otheis 
have left them, and have forgotten the prejudices of their 



KEY. ROWLAND HILL. 



187 



education, and mean to attend the church till they can hear 
sounder truths at the meeting, where they have been accus- 
tomed to worship. And, although I have cause to thank God, 
that there is not much to be dreaded from these schismatical 
efforts ; yet, still the plague is in a measure begun. And, as 
you well know how to controvert these different heresies, that 
iiave been brought forward against the plain simple truths of 
the gospel, I most fervently intreat you to come over and help 
us, and give us some sermons on these most important topics. 

" Youi-s, 

" H. Merriman." 

Why Mr. Hill should have thought it necessary to connect 
the Baptists with these unscriptural and extravagant senti- 
ments is not very manifest. He must surely have lost sight, 
at the moment, of his own Toplady, and Romaine, and 
Hawker, from whose pulpit addresses and published treatises 
the prir.ciples might easily be deduced, which lead to the 
same results. Besides, was not the renowned Dr. Crisp, to 
whose sermons he has had recourse for all the obnoxious 
tenets which he combats, a clergyman of his own church? 
Was he not rector of Brinkworth, in Wiltshire ; and did he 
not live and die in the communion of the Church of Eno^land ? 
These are facts which Mr. Hill, probably out of tenderness to 
his own church, would have kept out of sight; and, there 
appeared to him no better way of effecting this than by trans- 
ferring the odium to the poor Baptists. But to proceed : 

" Mr. Lovegood's answer to this letter was replete with all 
that good sense; containing at the same time such wise and 
pious remarks, as might naturally have been expected from 
him ; and, to gratify the reader, those parts of it which more 
immediately relate to the point in hand are here transcribed." 

Mr. Lovegood observed, that whatever appearance of 
novelty might seem to attach itself to these new lights, it was 
nothing more than a revival of the same bad spirit which in a 
measure prevailed in the earliest ages of the primitive churck 
That the apostle Paul foresaw the evil, and forewarned the 



188 



MEMOIRS OF THB 



elders of Ephesus of it in this strong language : — For 1 
know that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in 
among you, not sparing the flock," and that these their outward 
enemies, would not be their worst enemies ; for that, " also 
among themselves should certain men arise, speaking perverse 
things, to draw away disciples after them." That this is 
awfully and notoriously the case with the present set. That 
they regard not into what Christian societies they enter; nor 
yet lament, or even make it a matter of consideration, how far 
they may break the peace and harmony that subsist among 
them, by the introduction of their unjust insinuations and 
dogmatic assertions, if thereby they maA^, out of other churches, 
make a little party for themselves, while, like Ishmael of old, 
their hands are against every man, while every man's hand, 
in self-defence, must be against them in return. 

He further observed what the apostle Jude mentioned 
concerning some of the same spirit; that though some may go 
further in these abominable ways than others, yet the core of 
the evil is still the same in all and among all parties who 
" separate themselves, not having the spirit ;" and that it is 
peculiarly applicable to the present set ; since, as far as he 
could learn, all of them were of one mind respecting the 
operations of the spirit; and that whatever some such as 
these might have to say, respecting the correctness of their 
own outward conduct and moral deportment, yet the slightest 
inattention to what Jude further said, " Building up your- 
selves on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Ghost; 
and keeping yourselves in the love of God," would prove a 
most criminal neglect ; and that any disregard to such prac- 
tical passages as these, especially where pi'ogressive sandifi- 
cation^ or a growth ingrace^ like the carrying on of a building, 
&c. were to be met with, could not but prove of the most 
dangerous consequences to the souls of men. 

He next observed, that such spirits, while they cannot 
please God, because they are contrary to all men, have in 
general in them, such a share of positivity and self-concei^ 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



that it were hardly possible to do them any good ; and that, 
ther-efore, the apostle's advice was the wisest, to " mark such 
as caused divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine they 
had received, and to avoid them," notwithstanding such may 
attempt, even with " good words and fair speeches, to deceive 
the hearts of the simple." 

He further illustrated, how strongly the apostle noticed the 
danger of such a spirit, from the advice he gave to Timothy, 
where, after having given the same directions to him, that are 
to be found in all his other epistles, to attend to social and 
relative duties, he thus remarks: — " If any man teach other- 
wise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to 
godliness^ he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about 
questions and strifes of woros, whereof cometh envy, strife, 
railings, evil surmising-s, perverse disputings of men of cor- 
rupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is 
godliness;" and no wonder that he should further say ; "from 
such withdraw thyself." 

A.fter a few observations further on this head, he next 
exhorted his beloved son in the Gospel, by no means to fear a 
full and explicit avowal of those most glorious truths, whereby 
the free justification and acceptance of the ruined sinner are 
at once secured, through the imputed righteous and finished 
salvation of our Redeemer, without any previous terms, con- 
ditions, qualifications, or pre-requi sites to be performed by us; 
and especially as from these principles, he might best maintain 
the creed of our personal sanctifi cation, which must be effec- 
tually accomplished in all true believers, whereby alone tne 
omnipotent agency of that divine Spirit is restored to us, so as 
to make us " dead unto sin, but alive unto God throuofh Jesus 
Christ." He lastly gave a promise, that within a fortnight he 
should come over to Sandover, in order to correct that profane 
disputatious spirit, which some corrupted minds were striving 
to introduce. 

Mr. Lovegood paid his promised visit, on which occasion he 



190 



MBMOIES OF THE 



preached, from Phil. i. 6, " Being confident of this very tki^, 
that he which hath begun a good work in you, witl perform it 
until the day of J esus Christ." 

In handling his text he shewed that sanctification is a pro- 
gressive worhy and that it manifested the true unadulterated 
meaning of the perseverance of tlie saints, by their being 
enabled to persevere in the ways of holiness unto the end; for 
" he that endureth unto the end shall be saved." He shewed 
that the Christian life was a growing up from the state ot 
babes to that of young men, and from young men to fathers 
in Christ ; or to adopt a similitude borrowed from husbandry, 
it resembled the growth of vegetation, that of corn, for 
instance, where there is " first the blade, then the ear, and lastly 
the full corn in the ear;" and again, that believers should 
grow ^ the lily, and the vine, and calves of the stall. And 
if Some might attempt to evade the force of such expressions, 
supposing they might refer to the gradual increase of Christ's 
kingdom at large, like the growth of the grain of mustard- 
seed, still the similitude holds good ; for how is it possible for 
a forest to grow, if each tree of the forest do not gTow afeo ? 
— Does not the apostle speak of \he faith of the Thessalonians 
as growing exceedingly ? and does he not pray that the 
Lord would make them to increase and abound in love more 
and moreP Then again, respecting hope^ does he not pray 
that " they might abound in hope^ through the power of 
the Holy Spirit ?" He shewed that the same idea of the 
abounding, increasing, and gi*owing in sanctification and per- 
sonal holiness was evidently held forth when we are directed to 
'-^ grow in grace^ and in the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ." Agreeable to which " the path of the just is 
said to shine more and more unto the perfect day." 

This sermon gives occasion to a conversation of considerable 
length, in which one of the speakers personates Dr. Crisp, 
making use of his very language, on the subject of eternal 
justification, imputed sanctification , Christ made sin, &c. &c. 
which I must be excused the disagreeable task of quoting in 



REV. kiOWLASU HiLL. 191 

this place. Both the language and the sentiments are rigidlv 
scrutinized, their contrariety to the simple style of the New 
Testament exposed, and their dangerous and detestable 
tendency pointed out, though, perhaps, not with all the energy 
and success which might have appeared had Mr. Hill 
himself been " a scribe well instructed into the mysteries of the 
kingdom of heaven." But having dispatched Dr. Crisp, the 
late Dr. Hawker, of Plymouth, comes next upon the tapis, 
though not mentioned by name, for he was a clergyman of the 
Church of England, t/ten living; but quotations are made fram 
his writings, sufficiently indicative of the quarter whence they 
are drawn. As the doctor has given the vogue to many a 
pulpit in our land, it may be interesting to submit to the 
reader a sketch of the dialogue, beginning with the subject of 
imputed sandification. Thus the doctor expresses himself: 

" Sanctification is so far from evidencing a good state, that 
it darkens it rather ; and a man may more clearly see Christ, 
when he seeth no sandification^ than when he doth. I'he 
darher my sandification is, the brighter is my justification ; for, 
a man cannot evidence his justification by his sanctification, 
but he must needs build upon his sanctification and trust in 
it." On this astounding assertion it is asked. 

How so? Ask the most devoted Christian upon earth 
whether he makes that his confidence (or reason of hope 
towards God) which he humbly receives, as an evidence that his 
heart is right with God, and that his confidence in Christ 
alone is correct." To which. 

Malapert (a disciple of the doctor's, replies) "Why, God 
won't suffer his people to be over-righteous, lest they should 
trust in it I heard a preacher say, ' it was a soul-damning 
error to make sanctification an evidence of justification,' and 
that ' the more we sinned, the more we might believe in the 
simple testimony of his word, who justifieth the ungodly, with- 
out any intermixture of faith and repentance, or any thing else 
fiom us.' 

" Lovegood. It is truly dreadful to hear you thus denying 



192 



MEMOIRS OV THE 



the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart, as an evidence of 
the reality of our faith. 

" Mai. No, Sir. I only say, the seal of the Spirit is limited 
only to the immediate witness of the Spirit; nor doth it ever 
witness to any work of grace upon the heart. 

" Love, Why, then, if the Holy Spirit does not witness 
to his own [work of] grace upon the heart, are we to suppose 
he witnesseth to nothing ? 

" Mai. Why, the truth is, ' I know I am Christ's, not 
because I do crucify the lusts of the flesh, but because I 
believe hi Christ that crucified my lusts for me .''—Is there any 
thing in the world of better credit than the Spirit ? We must 
not therefore try it by any thing else^ or question it; for this is 
the word of grace, according to which he speaks. ' Recon- 
ciling the world unto himself, even the world, when men are 
no otlierwise, but merely men of the world.' 

" Love. Now, Sir, I think you have put your finishing 
stroke to what you call the witness of the Spirit. For, accord- 
ing to this view of the matter, even an unregenerate person 
may have the witness of the Spirit, though in himself earthly, 
sensual, and devilish — a child of the devil of the blackest 
sort! And thus, the pure and holy Spirit of God, and ot 
truth itself, is most profanely supposed to witness to the most 
abominable lie, and to buoy up those who are of their father 
the devil, and in the high road to hell [with the hope of 
heaven]. And that, contrary to the most express testimonies 
of Scripture that can possibly be recorded, e. g. ' If ye love 
me, keep my commandments,' John xiv. 15. [' He that hath 
my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth 
me ; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and 
I will love him, and will manifest myself to him,' ver. 21. J 
' If a man love me he will keep my words, and my Father will 
love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with 
him,' ver. 23. 'Tis thus that ' the Spirit beareth witness with 
our Spirits that we are the children of God.' Can the same 
^irit bear the same witness to the children of the devil?** 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



1955 



This leads to the notice of Dr. Hawker's gloss upon various 
other texts of Scripture, such as, " Without holiness no man 
shall see the Lord," which he thus explains, loithout ChHst 
no man shall see God !" And this interpretation he attempts 
to support by a comment equally strange on the text, follow 
peace with all men that is, " follow Christ, for he is our 
peace" — consequently, to follow holiness means the same thing ! 

" Lovegood, How is it possible to suppose that such people 
can believe their own nonsense? I should be inclined to 
laugh at their folly, if I was not grieved at their bad design. 
— The word folloiving^ does not agree with their creed; it 
sounds too much like increasing, and getting nearer to a certain 
desired point: and as for following peace, divisions and dis- 
putings seem to be the first chapter in their creed: and as for 
holiness, what have they to do with that, while imputed sancti- 
fication makes up for every thing. Their perversion of such 
passages as these, must have the most dangerous tendency, 
upon the minds of such lax and wanton professors as have no 
heart to walk in those ways of holiness, though ' God has fore- 
ordained, that we should walk in them.' 

" Malapert. Whatever you may say against the meaning 
of that text, a great minister in our way, in the west of 
England, is of the same mind : these are his words, 'It is a 
conceived conceit among some persons, that our obedience is 
the way to heaven ; and that though it be not, as they say, the 
cause of our reign, yet it is the way to the kingdom. But I 
tell you all, that this sanctification of life is not a jot the way 
of the justified person into heaven. The truth is, since 
redemption is managed by Christ, the Lord hath appointed 
other ends and purposes of our obedience than salvation; 
Salvation is not the end of any good worh ive do? You will, 
say then, ' we had as good sit still. He that works all day, 
and gets nothing better than he had in the morning, had as 
good sit still and do nothing.' Let me tell you, the pre- 
vention of evil, if there he any evil in it, or the obtaining of 
good, if there be reality ofgood—i^edi,ce 9f conscience, jpy in 

o 



194 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



tiie Holy Spirit, pardon of sin, the infallibilitj of miscarriage, 
and the light of God's countenance, ail these, I say, are 
abundantly provided for you, and established firmly on you by 
the mere grace of God in Christ, before ever you perform any 
thing whatsoever.' 

" Love. Oh ! then, by this I find I am to believe I have 
it before I have it ; and I must not seek that I may find, 
because it is abundantly provided for me, and lest I should 
seek my own good as well as the glory of God in those bless- 
ings of grace which are so richly provided for me. — Why, all 
this is abundantly below common sense: it is uncommon 
nonsense. While your Doctor forbids me to seek that I may 
find, because it is unnecessary^ God's command is, 'Seek 
that ye may find.' And because the kind donor means to do 
me good in the things he freely gives, I must not seek my own 
good in the enjoyment of it, though he designs it. The way 
of holiness is entirely cut up by this kind of gospel. 

" Mai. O, Sir, it is a long established rule among all of us 
that the law is no rule of life to a believer ; for ' we are dead 
to the law by the body of Christ' 

" Love. But, Sir, go on with the quotation, if you please ; 
if not, I must do it for you. Why are we said to be dead to 
the law through the body of Christ, 'that we should be 
married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, 
that we should bring forth fruit unto God; and that we should 
serve in newness of spirit^ and not in the oldness of the letter.' 
In short, that the spirit of obedience which we have lost 
by the covenant of works, should be restored to us by the 
covenant of grace : so that not only all needed grace should 
be communicated to the heart, but that whenever God sees 
sin in us, it may be conquered and subdued from day to day. 

" Mai. How can God see sin in his elect ? The great 
Doctor I so much admire, thus settles that point, by the 
following nohle strain of argumentation^ among those who are 
bold enough to believe they are the elect without evidence 
yea, and in spite of evidence to the contrary. ' Though-sucfe 



RRV. ROWLAND HILL. 



persons do act in rebellion, yet the loathsomeness, the abomi- 
fiableness, and the hatefulness of this rebellion are laid on the 
back of Christ; he bears the si7i as well as the blame and 
shame : and that is the only reason why God can dwell with 
those who do act the thing; and if it be asked, how should 
God know every sin the believer doth commit, and yet not 
remember them 1 the answer is, though God remembers the 
things thou hast done, yet he doth not remember them as 
thine; for he remembers them perfectly, they are none of 
thine ; when he passed them over to Christ, they ceased to be 
thine any longer : so that the Lord hath not one sin to charge 
on an elect person from the first moment of conception to the 
last moment of life : no, nor is original s'n to be laid upon 
him ; the Lord hath laid it on Christ already: yea, every elect 
vessel of God, from the very first instant of his being, is as 
pure in the eyes of God, from the charge of sin, as he shall be 
m glory. And it is the voice of a lying spirit in your hearts 
that saith, that you who are believers have yet sin wasting 
your consciences^ and lying as a burden too heavy for you to 
bear. 

Love. How awfully near all this daring rant is to 
blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, whose sacred work it is to 
convince of sin, and so to reprove us for it, that we may know 
and feel that it is an evil and bitter thing to sin against God. 
Was it a lying spirit in the heart of Magdalene that made her 
weep much because she had sinned much ? Was it a lying 
spirit in Peter that made him go out and iveep bitterly? And 
did the Holy Ghost create a lying spirit in the hearts of three 
thousand believing sinners, when at the same time they cried, 
under the grace of repentance unto life, 'What must we do to 
be saved V Really the common blasphemy that is to be heard 
in the world is as nothing when compared to the deliberate 
blasphemy which Antinomianism suggests. One would sup- 
pose that this profane and daring set never read what it cost 
David all the days of his life, after his most grievous fall, m 
which he so highly displeased the Lord, that the sword never 



196 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



afterwards departed from his house ; how he beclouded all hs 
own evidences, and how he went on with his broken bones to 
the very verge of the grave, till just at last a beam of divine 
light was restored to his mind, whereby he was enabled to say, 
' thou hast made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in 
all things and sure.' 

" Mai. But the great divine I have before mentioned thinks 
otherwise, for he thus asks the question, 'Was not David a 
justified person ? and did not he bear his own sins ' My sins 
are gone over my head.' To which he thus answers: ' I must 
tell you all, that what David speaks here, he speaks from 
himself; and all that David speaks from himself vjas not truth. 
David might mistake that God should charge his sin upon 
him:' and also coincide with the Doctor, in what he further 
says : ' Before a believer doth confess his sin he may be as 
certain of the pardon of it, as after confession : that there is as 
much ground to be confident of the pardon of sin to a believer, 
as soon as ever he has committed it, though he hath not made a 
solemn act of confession, as to believe it after he hath per- 
formed all the humiliation in the world, even though it be 
adultery and murder^ as was the case with David.' 

" Love. So that all the contrite language of David in the 
fifty-first Psalm, was not only fruitless, but the language of a 
lying spirit! What a horrid perversion of the repentance of 
David, and how awfully calculated to harden sinners in their 
transgressions ! 

" Mai. Sir, I shall not be ashamed to tell you how finely 
this free grace author proceeds. ' But you will say, all the 
promises of pardon, do run with this proviso, in case men 
humble themselves — in case men do this and that — then 
pardon is theirs, otherwise it is none of theirs. TaJce heed 
of such doctrine. There is nothing but joy and gladness — 
there is not one jot of sadness in any believer, but he is out of 
the way.' ' God doth no longer stand ojf ended, nor displeased^ 
though a believer, after he is a believer^ do sin often ; because 
he doth not find the sin of a believer to be his owt sin, but he 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



197 



finds it to be the sin of Christ ; so ttiat, if a man know himself 
to be in a state of grace, though he be drunk, or commit 
murder, God sees no sin in him so that what signifies telling 
believers, except they perform such and such duties : except 
they walk thus and thus holily, and do these and those good 
works, they shall come under wrath, or at least God will be 
angry with them ; what do we in this but abuse the Scriptures 1 
We undo all that Christ has done — we injure believers — we 
tell God that he lies to his face. 

" Love. This is separating Christ and holiness with a 
vengeance ; and if it be not making Christ the minister of sin, 
I know not what is. But all this is perfectly consistent with 
another favourite expression of theirs, viz. 'Sin can do a 
believer no harm.' 

Mai. No more can it: for our great Doctor has declared 
that ' they need not be afraid of their sins ; they that have God 
for tbeir God, there is no sin that ever they commit, can 
•possibly do them any hurt : therefore as their sins cannot hurt 
them, so there is no cause of fear in their sins committed; 
there is no one sin, nor all the sins together of any believer 
can possibly do that believer any hurt' 

'''Love. Such dangerous and barefaced assertions against 
the holiness and purity of divine truth, I never before heard. 
To suppose that a soul may be one of the elect of God, and 
yet be permitted to live in the worst of sins, under the influence 
of the most atrocious crimes, and die in impenitence and 
unbelief, not only gives the lie to all Scripture, but has an 
immediate tendency to harden the sinner in his si^.s; while 
the whimsical idea, that Christ was actually made the sinner, 
while the sinner takes the Saviour's place, not only nullifies 
every idea of the vicarious sacrifice of him that ' suffered the 
just for the unjust,' but equally hardens the impenitent ; since 
ihey are now given to believe, that whatever sins they commit, 
Christ committed them tor them, and that therefore they 
cannot sin, because virtually Christ sinned for them! But' 
Jiat the holy God should even hate and abhor his infinitely 



198 



itIEMOIRS OF THE 



well-beloved Son, because he who knows no sin, suffered in 
the sinner's stead, and was hated of God, as bad as if he had 
been the devil himself! — this, in my opinion is dreadfully 
profane [he might have added, it is the height of blasphemy.] 
No M^onder that, from such principles, the practical truths of 
the Gospel should be next subjected to a most profane attack. 
The exhortation to ' give all diligence to make our calling and 
election sure,' is treated by men of such sentiments, as a most 
dangerous error, and even robbing Christ of his glory. And 
no wonder at the conclusion of the whole, that if the infatuated 
Antinomian enthusiast can, merely from the iowdi fancy of his 
own mind, conceit himself to be one of God's elect — he is just 
as safe, whether he dies a martyr at the stake, or a criminal at 
the gallows ; for, the concluding horrible conceit is, ' Sin can 
do a believer no harm ; and whether he sins or serves God, it 
is all the same, for God sees no sin in his elect, even while 
they commit the worst of sins,' Could any infidel upon earth 
have wished a better opportunity for the exercise of his profane 
ridicule on the sacred doctrine of our election in Christ, and so 
directly contrary to the word of God, in which the cause and 
effect are so solemnly united with each other ; that ' we are 
elect according to the fore-knowledge of God, through saJidifi- 
cation of the Sphit unto obedience that we are 'saved and 
called with an holy calling' — ' predestinated to be conformed 
to the image of his dear Son^ and that he hath chosen us ' that 
we may be holy, and without blame before him in love V Is 
there one single instance throughout the Bible where election 
is mentioned unconnected with personal sanctlfication, as 
producing the invariable fruits and effects of righteousness 
upon the heart and life ?" 

Here the conversation ends — and Mr. Hill remarks upon it, 
that " should any persons ignorantly assert, that such daring 
and impious sentiments can be founded on what is called 
Calvinism, they know not what Calvinism means; for in no 
one instance are they correct, and this may be known from 
their direct opposition to each other. The system of Drs. 



REV. ROWLAND HlLL. 



Crisp aftd Hawker is a mere caricature of Calvinism; foV 
while the latter inculcates humility, self abasement, and an 
entire dependence on the agency of the Holy Spirit, and an 
extreme attention to the eternal obligations we are and must 
be under to obey the divine law : the former leads to self- 
confidence, presumption, and an awful neglect of moral duties. 
Such is the antinomianism that arminianism still suggests — 
speaking a language that is peculiarly profane and awfully bad. 

Let the doctrines of grace be allowed to speak their own 
language ; and then let it be asked, if the high commanding 
banner against antinomianism, under every disguise, is not 
best established in those hands, who from this tower of divine 
truth, neither allow the sinner to be his own Saviour, nor can 
admit a salvation from the damnation that sin deserves, and 
not from the dominion that sin has usurped." 

The extracts now laid before the reader, from the Village 
Dialogues, will enable him to form his judgment of Mr. Hill's 
theological system. It was, what is usually termed, moderate 
Calvinism; a system which combines the doctrine of uncon- 
ditional personal election with man's responsibility, and the 
duty of all who bear the Gospel to believe and obey it. The 
system of Ultra- Calvinism^ or Antinomianism, as Mr. Hill 
preferred calling it, is of a most dangerous tendency : it calls 
upon sinners to persuade themselves that they are of the 
number of the elect without any evidence from Scripture, 
sense, or reason — their first duty is to believe that Christ is 
theirs, and they are his ; thus building up man}^ in the belief 
of a lie instead of the truth, establishing presumption upon 
principle, and by this means conscience itself is drawn in to be 
a friendly supporter of self-deceit. Nor does the evil rest 
there; this presumption of their personal interest in Christ, 
supersedes the necessity of " working out their own salvation, 
with fear and trembling, and of giving diligence to make theii 
calling and election sure, as the apostolic writers exhort 
believers to do." Election is doubtless a Scripture doctrine, 
but no one can have any well founded evidence that he is one 



200 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



of God's elect until he believes the testimony of God concern- 
ing his Son, and finds peace to his guilty conscience in the 
blood of atonement. " The work of faith, and labour of love, 
and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ," are the only 
sure test that we are his real disciples, and not mere nominal 
professors. 



SECTION VIIL 

MR. HILLS' OPPOSITION TO PAROCHIAL ASSESSMENTS ON PLACES 

OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP AND WRITINGS IN DEFENCE OF 

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, A. D. 1811 1816. 

In the earlier part of the present century, a most determined 
effort was made to subject dissenting chapels to parochial 
assessments, or the payment of poor's rates, and happily the 
experiment was first tried with Surrey Cbapel, it being of a 
nondescript character. Mr. Hill resisted the attempt, because 
he regarded it as an invasion of the Toleration Act, which his 
Majesty, George III , in his first speech from the throne, had 
pledged himself to maintain inviolable. The first attack was 
made at the sessions at Guildford, a. d. 1811, and from the 
distance of the place, subjected Mr. Hill and his friends to a 
considerable expense; but they succeeded in their opposition, 
and fondly persuaded themselves that they should hear no 
more of the matter. In this, however, they were mistaken— 
the attempt was renewed five different times, and on every 
occasion the parochial authorities were unsuccessful. The 
object being of general concern to the whole body of Protest- 
ant Dissenters, it was taken up by the society, then recently 
instituted, for the purpose of protecting their liberties, which 
greatly facilitated the means of defence. 

Aware of the consequences that would result to the dis* 
senters throughout the country, should these parish o.^Icers 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



201 



succeed in tlieir object, Mr. Hill stood forward manfully in 
their behalf, and on the first attempt failing, he published an 
elaborate pamphlet of 90 pages 8vo., entitled "A Serious 
Invest! ofation of the Nature and Effects of Parochial Assess- 
ments being charged on places of Religious Worship, 
protected by the Act of Toleration ; wherein the manifest 
partiality, evil tendency, and ruinous consequences of such a 
Taxation, are amply set forth ;" first published in 1811 ; a 
second edition appeared in 1813, with additional remarks — 
and a third, in an altered and abridged form, in 1816. 

The pamphlet is dedicated to the inhabitants of the parish 
of Christ Church, in Surrey, whom he compliments on the 
general harmony and good-will which had subsisted among 
affectionate neighbours and friends ever since his first resi- 
dence among them, and then proceeds to express regret that 
any restless spirits should have recently appeared, stirring up 
contention and strife, as in the instance before them. " How 
little," says he, "do these hard-hearted disturbers of peace 
know or feel for the situations of hundreds of poor ministers, 
who can scarcely obtain their daily bread, having nothing to 
support them but the income arising from the place of worship 
in which they officiate i Let these poor ministers be deprived 
of so large a portion of their scanty support as parochial 
assessments in general demand, and they will be poor indeed I 
Though burning days are ended, days of starvation will be 
their immediate lot !" 

Mr. Hill commences his pamphlet with an eulogium on the 
glorious Revolution, under King William III., and the estab- 
lishment of religious liberty in consequence of it ; lamenting 
that attempts were now made, as contrary to sound policy as 
religion, to abridge rather than to enlarge that liberty. Among 
these he reckons the efforts to tax places of worship : which 
have, in general, been deemed exempt from all parochial tax- 
ations for 120 years. He admits that, according to the act of 
the 43d of Elizabeth, on which our poor laws are founded, all 
places producing profit may be assessed ; but Mr. Hill justly 



202 



MEMOIRS OF 



observes, that meeting houses could not have been intended by 
that law, for none were then permitted. 

Mr. Hill conceives it to be a real hardship that any persons 
whatever should be obliged to account to a magistrate for the 
voluntary donations, (for such they are) which are given to a 
place of worship, whether a ticket for a seat be given, ot 
merely a subscription made, — every halfpenny so given having 
been taxed before. He remarks that m some parochial places 
of worship, the seats are let for the emolument of the preacher, 
or for the benefit of the proprietor, and it seems that such 
places are as liable to taxation as chapels and meeting-houses 
are. To tax the one, therefore, and not the other, appears to 
be partial and unfair ; but, says Mr. Hill, " perhaps it is 
thought that Methodists and Dissenters should pay *^ smart 
money' for their religion, and be exposed to an inquisitorial 
authority, such as bankrupts and swindlers must submit to, a 
specimen of which was exhibited at the late Guildford sessions." 

The hired orator for the day, on that occasion, was Mr. 
Spankie, now one of the representatives in parliament for the 
borough of Finsbury, one of the metropolitan districts. Refer- 
ring to his speech, Mr. Hill thus characterizes it : "I believe 
never since the days of Charles H. was a more vehement 
philippic delivered decidedly against religious liberty ; and I 
request the reader's peculiar notice to this most remarkable 
harangue, as the language of a party, and an exposition of their 
dark designs. 

" After a few high-flown compliments, as it respected my 
personal character, I found myself at once deprived of all my 
beautiful plumage, ere even I had time to admire the finery 
of my dress. This was a curious specimen of that low flattery 
resorted to by those who can smile in your face, and cut your 
throat with a feather ; for, first he begins to flatter me as an 
angel — then, all at once, discerns the motives of my heart, 
and discovers that all these angelic actions were nothing but 
the artful cloak of the most devilish designs, ' to pulldown 
Chui'ch and State.' 



REV. ROWLAND miiJu 



203 



" Having talked about my munificent donations, and (per- 
haps a little incautiously) virtually admitted that the profits 
of the chapel were devoted to veri/ laudable purposes, he thus 
speaks out the language of his employers. He says, those 
whose cause he was advocatiiig viewed with alarm and appre- 
hension the splendid and benevolent donations of Mr. Hill, 
justly considering them as the most powerful instruments in 
the propaganda system of Methodism." Thus,says Mr. Hili, 
Mr. Spankie says nothing about Mr. Farquharson, his only 
ostensible employer, but of those " whose cause he was advo- 
cating while the whole of his speech indicated, that there is 
a serious combination against us. Thanks to Mr. Farquharson 
for employing an orator, who has informed the public, that 
"Methodism is propagated by splendid and benevolent 
donations ; and thanks to Mr. Spankie for giving us a full 
insight into the spirit of the rest of his party, that these pious 
exertions are viewed by them with alarm, and the object of 
their alarm is, lest they who perform them should pull down 
the established church thereby ! ! !" Perhaps, says Mr. Hill, in 
a note on the place, a grosser instance of commencing a prose- 
cution against religious people, merely for righteousness' sake 
(Matt. V. 10) was never before exhibited. If such persecutors 
are not ashamed of a conduct so notoriously vile, it can only 
be attributed to the worst principles that ever disgraced the 
human heart. Mr. Hill then proceeds — 

" I have a third time to thank Messrs. Farquharson and Co. 
for their redoubtable orator. The church is certainly not 
poor, but rich ; and I can assure Mr. Spankie, that the people 
on whom he bestows the nick-name of Methodists, are not in 
the general rich, but poor. So that the church has ten times 
the power to outshine and outdo them in every point of view. 
To give therefore a little consistency to his most inconsistent 
harangue, we must suppose it was not the means but the ends 
designed by the means that met with the orator's disapproba- 
tion. Now,, I ask, if ever there was a more strange outcry 
raided. ; The Methodists, by their charities and splendid henexio- 



204 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



lence^ are drawing people from the established church ; wtile 
the friends of the church are ten times as able in the use of 
the same means to draw ihem back again whenever they 
please ! 

" I next find the orator, after all the splendid compliments 
bestowed before, turns right about upon me, and depicts me 
as one of the most ostentatious hypocrites that ever appeared 
on the stao^e of religious life. ' It was his boast^'' he tells the 
public, ' that his influence over the minds of his followers 
enabled him to perform acts of ostentatious charity.^ So that 
I have been fool enough to boast that I have been enabled to 
perform acts of ostentatious charity ; while Mr. Spankie has 
been wise enough to discover that boasting and ostentation 
were the despicable motives that influenced my heart. It 
shall readily be admitted, that gentlemen of the long robe are 
at times under the necessity of using language, on behalf of 
their clients, not perfectly congenial to the feelings of their 
own minds ; but if insults like these are to pass for eloquence 
and oratory, how far the character of the gentleman and the 
orator are always connected with each other, may easily be 
determined. 

"Mr. Spankie further informs the public, that ' these acts of 
ostentatious charity were a gratification I should not be allowed 
to indulge in, without first contributing to the relief of the 
parochial poor;' and he then adds, 'what claim ha,d people 
of this description to be exempted ? none whatever : for he 
was persuaded, and many persons, and wise ones too, were of 
opinion that the present prevailing and increasing system 
of Methodism existed for the ultimate and final destruction of 
the established church of England? " 

Here, says Mr. Hill, we have the direct war whoop o, 
prosecution completely revived ! The church is in danger — 
down with the Methodists, or they will down with you!! But 
Mr. Spankie proceeds : " If a system of religion, tolerated by 
the mild laws of the country, was suffered to be extended by 
the most powerful incentives which couid operate on tha 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



205 



human mind— if its ministers were to set up Methodist 
meeting-houses to rival the church of England — if the extra- 
ordinary and persevering zeal of those ministers was to be 
directed m obtaining proselytes by every art they could 
devise — if, by attractive and seductive meeting houses the 
people of til is country were to be drawn by degrees from the 
established faith and mode of worship, it was impossible to say 
where the evil would have an end^ it must inevitably terminate 
in the utter annihilation of the established church!!" On 
this Mr. Hill sarcastically remarks, Mr. Spankie's ingenuity 
can discover where a thing will terminate^ though no human 
being can discover where it will end P"* 

Another very curious flourish in this most eloquent and 
energetic address deserves pa.rticular notice; it is as follows: 
" Let not the full and splendid river of Methodistical benevo- 
lence devour the country^ by draining the little rivulets, that 
should nourish and support the established church. Was it 
not manifest that wherever these Methodist meeting-houses 
existed, the worship of the established church was not held in 
the repute it ought to be. Men could not serine God and 
Mammon — they could not follow the doctrine of these Metho- 
dist ministers, and at the same time love and respect the 
regular ministers of the established church." 

In this vile fustian, the modern Tertullus certainly laid 
nimself open to animadversion, and Mr. Hill does not spare 
him. He is willing to believe that Mr. Spankie was sober 
when he delivered himself of this strange speech, though cer- 
tainly, as a halfway intoxicated theatrical lady once said of 
herself, " he was strangely involved in mystery." What could 
intluei ce turn to represent the established church as so far 
exhausted of benevolence, that she had nothino- but little 
rivulets left for her support, wilh all her large endowments 
and abundant wealth. And then to contrast her benevolence 
with that of poor unendowed Methodism, as a full and 
splendid river which was ready to devour the country. That a 
country should be devoured by benevolence is stranger gtill 



206 



' MfiMOIRS OF THE " 



but quick-thoughted orators have not time to elioose apt 
metaphors for the purpose of illustration upon every occasion. 
But even this is not all ; for according to Mr. Spankie, wor- 
shipping in a church is serving God — ^worshipping in a 
Methodist meeting is serving Mammon ! Could any Metho- 
dist preacher have given a more ridiculous interpretation of 
that text? But the orator continues — "They could not 
follow the doctrine of these Methodist ministers, and at tlie 
same time love and respect the regular ministers of the estab- 
lished church." In the name of wonder and common sense, 
asks Mr. Hill, why not ? Let the regular ministers of the 
established church be as lovely in their behaviour, and as 
respectable in their conduct as they should be, while they fdl 
a station so honourable and respectable in itself, and it will 
soon appear what love and respect they will universally com- 
mand. But if people are expected to worship every thing 
that is cloaked in a cassock, however ignorant, profligate, or 
profane, the idolization of such a priesthood is not only 
abominable in itself, but will be the utter destruction of all 
the morality in the land. " Mr. Spankie, however, is of a 
different opinion. He tells us that ' God and the constitution 
have appointed a clergy of the establishment to instruct us.' 
Can any one who knows the use of brains, or reads his bible, 
be deluded by such sheer nonsense ? Are we to believe that 
all national religions must be necessarily of God's appoint 
ment1 And as the British Sovereign presides over three 
sorts of national churches — in England, Episcopal ; in Scot- 
land, Presbyterian ; and in Canada, Roman Catholic ; are we 
to suppose with Mr. Spankie, that we are to take up with the 
establishment, be it what it may ; and that all intermeddlings 
with the religion of any state, whether Popish, Mahometan, or 
Pagan, would be an insolent rebellion against the appointmenl 
of God? What disgusting trash ! How utterly inconsistent 
with common sense ! Does not every man's reason, if he has 
any, tell him, that religion must be the subject of our own 
personal judgment and choice ? if, theretore the national 



REV. ROWLAND KILL. 



207 



church happens to be favourable to the dictates of my own 
conscience, it is my privilege to conform ; if otherwise it is 
my duty to dissent As to myself, I can solemnly declare, I 
love the establishment much better than many of those who 
live on her preferments : I cordially approve her doctrines, 
and her liturgy: I venerate her immortal founders: and 
respect and esteem many within her pale, whose holy and 
consistent lives, and fervent well-directed zeal would have 
done honour to the primitive church in her purest days. Mr. 
Spankie, however, in his oration which has been so widely 
circulated, has been pleased, contrary to every feeling of my 
heart, to make me the ring-leader of a sect, whose whole 
efforts and designs are to destroy this church, by every 
seductive art within their reach. 

" The candid reader will have had quite enough, when he 
has had laid before him the following quotation : ' However 
laudable the motives of Mr. Hill's charitable donations might 
be, in his own estimation^ they were exercised at the expence 
of the poor of the established church. Let not the methodists 
be molested in their worship' (that is, do not break their 
windows, or dash their brains out; but tax them till they are 
ruined ;) ' but let them not, at the expence of the poor, 
augment their funds, for the purpose of employing them to 
sap the foundation of the established church^ So far our 
eloquent orator. 

" Now, if an^ person can extract a single grain of common 
sense from this strange assertion, I shall call him the com- 
pletest alchymlst of the day. For, first, it should seem that 
we supported the poor at the expence of the poor ; and then 
by supporting the poor in this comical manner, we sap the 
foundation of the established church ! So that poor people, 
nick-named methodists, must even endanger their salvation, by 
their hard-heartedness in living without the exercise of charitv, 
lest they should ' sap tlie foundation of the established church ;' 
or, in other words, we must be allowed to do nothing buf as 
church-people set us the example, and direct us in tlie quantum 



08 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



of good we may be permitted to perform, otherwise we are to h& 
vieivedwith alarm, lest even our charities skouldruin the church 

Mr. Hill tenders a kind of apology for being compelled to 
say these things against Mr, Farquharson and Mr. Spankie^ 
who, after all, are only the ostensible movers of a serious 
combination against the religious liberties of the land. "They 
have not wisely conducted their plan, they seem to suppose 
that declamation is to pass for argument, and abusive nick- 
names for eloquence. But, unfortunately for these clamorous 
orators, Sunday-schools and Bible-societies have led thousands 
to read and think for themselves ; and such people will not be 
duped by sound without sense. In short, notwithstanding all 
these empty harangues, there never was a day in which a 
sectarian principle less divided the Christian church. When- 
ever people hear of a good minister, either in church, chapel, 
or meeting, they give their attendance ; where there is a bad 
one, he is very justly neglected and despised. If the church 
wishes to be popular, and to regain her lost ground, the way 
is straight before her ; she has every thing from the patronage 
of the State she could wish or desire : like our most excellent 
constitution, she can only be ruined by her own corruptions. 

" From the whole of this counsellor's speech, which is of no 
other material consequence, than as it developes the perse- 
cuting designs of the high [church] party, religious people of 
every denomination may easily foresee the fresh storm that is 
gathering against them. If religious societies are not to be left 
at full liberty to support their own economies as they like 
best, without being liable to an unprecedented investigation 
of their private concerns, which lays them open to the most 
offensive publicity that can well be conceived, the religious 
liberty we have so long enjoyed, is now no more." 

Mr. Hill proceeds to show that the real danger of the 
church is. not from without but from within. Let all the 
ministers of the established church faithfully preach the 
doctrines they are sworn to maintain, and set an example to 
the Hock of " all holy conversation and godliness," and the 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



209 



parish churches will be revisited with unaccustomed crowds. 
But let any otner methods be adopted, and that which is bad 
will soon become abundantly worse. Let the magistrates, 
throughout the country, join the present religious uproar, and 
lay a parLial and persecuting taxation against those whose 
religions zeal makes them outshine their neighbours, and they 
will soon find that the church will be in much greater danger 
than from any cause which the TertuUus of the day was pleased 
to assign ! 

In an Appendix, Mr. Hill presents his readers with a docu- 
ment which had just then made its appearance, containing the 
regulations for the admission of persons into the Catholic 
chapel at Cheltenham, in which sittings of various descriptions 
are let: after which he indulges his comic fancy in a supposed 
catechisation of a Roman Catholic Priest under this new 
Protestant Inquisition. The thing is so exquisite that I shall 
submit it to the reader's inspection, merely intimating, that 
he has so managed the dialogue as to introduce rather archly 
some of Counsellor Spanlde's eloquent sayings. Thus it 
proceeds : — 

" Coun, Put that gentleman to his oath. 

(The oath is taken.) 

" Coun. Pray, Sir, what religion are you of? 

" Priest. Sir, 1 am of the Holy Catholic religion. 

" Coun. Do not you. Sir, officiate in a large chapel of your 
persuasion in ? 

" Priest. Yes, Sir. 

" Coun. I hope, Sir, you do not mean to say that you get 
nothing by your religion ? 

Priest. Having no establishment, and consequently 
being deprived of all endowments, we are certainly supported 
by the people of our own persuasion. 

" Coun. I thought so, Sir. Pray do you let the seats' in 
jour chapel ? 

" Priest. People generally come in as they like. 
Com, Are there not galleries in jour chapel ? 



210 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



Priest. Yes. Bir. 
** Vou7i. But you will not pretend to say, that the people 
come into that part of your chapel as they like. 

JPriest. We expect they should pay if they sit in the 
galleries. 

" Coim. You expect^ Sir. What do you mean by that? 
Will you say that they are allowed to sit there for nothing? 

" Priest. Sir, our expences are large, and they must be 
paid somehow. 

" Com. Yes, Sir, the parish poor must be supported as 
well as your chapel. Come, do not give us all this trouble: 
you must tell us what you let your seats for. 

" Priest. Sir, this is a hard case ; we were never called to 
such an account before. 

" Coun. You may think it hard, but you are all trying to 
draw away people from the established church, both Dissenters 
and Roman Catholics. 

" Priest. But you know. Sir, ours was the old established 
Church of England, before yours pulled it down. Surely we 
should not be so hard taxed for the poor, now we are so poor 
ourselves : while your church that overturned our church, and 
is so rich, may let their pews and seats as they like, and never 
be taxed at all. 

" Coun. That is nothing to the purpose; the law is that 
vou should be taxed. 

Priest. What law ? we never heard of such a law before. 

" Coun. Sir, there has been a new construction put upon 
the old law, and now you are all to be taxed. We must know, 
Sir, fne income of your chapel. 

•"^ Priest. Why, Sir, in some of our chapels they pay for 
tne oest seats two guineas per annum, and others one guinea 
per annum. 

• Coun. And pray, Sir, is this all you get ? 

" Priest. With all we get, some of our clergy find it little 
Detter man a starving. 

- JoMW. You will never mind that. You who were so 



RET. ROWLAND HILL. 211 

fond of hwrning m former days, won't mind a little starmn^ 
now-a-aays. I see, Sir, in some of your chapels, tnere are a 
set of Doxes put in a row. Pray what are they for ? 
Priest. Sir, they are confession boxes. 

" Court. Boxes, I suppose, in which people stand to confess 
their sins, before you pardon them ? 

" Priest Yes, Sir. 

Coun. I suppose, Sir, a considerable interest arises out 
of your chapel on that score also. 

" Priest. Pray, Sir^ has this Inquisition a right to demand 
an answer to such questions as these ? 

" Coun. Inquisition^ Sir ! What do you mean by calling 
this an Liquisitionl Do you think you are in Spain or 
Portugal ? 

" Priest. Sir, there are many of the Catholic persuasion 
who wish the Inquisition was abolished, though some may 
approve of it ; and it will be wonderful, if you gentlemen of 
the Protestant religion, set up another, in opposition to those 
who do not conform to your modes of worship ; for really, this 
seems to me so much like an Inquisition^ that I scarcely know 
where I am. 

" Coun. I will tell you. Sir, where you are ; in a Court of 
Justice, where you are upon your oath to answer all such 
questions as the Court shall demand from you. Therefore, Sir, 
I demand of you, when you forgive a man his sins, what do 
you get by it ? for it is all an income arising out of your (Dlace 
of Worship. 

" Priest. Sir, we charge a poor man only a shilling. 

''Coun. Only a shilling! 'SN\\^ ik^i \% dog cheap ; ou+ 
then I suppose when he begins upon a fresh score, you nave 
to pardon him again, and that turns in the shillings pretty fast 

" Priest. Sir, we do not expect the poor to confess more 
than three times in the year, except for some crimes against 
the church. 

Coun, But then, when you have to attend on the t^o\i 
sinners who come to contession, we are not to conclude ibat 

i2 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



you forgive them their sins at so cheap a rate ; and espeeially, 
as they take up a deal of their time in committing their sins, 
so it must take up a deal of your time in hearing the confes- 
sion of them ? 

Priest. Sir, it is left optional; the rich really do not 
come to confession so often as they should. 

" Coun. But, when they do come, perhaps, they lump all 
their sins together, and pay for absolution accordingly a good 
round sum., or the}^ do not deserve a pardon? 

" Priest. Really, Sir, these are hard questions. 

" Coun. You may think so. Sir; but I have a few more 
hard questions to ask you before I have done with you. 
When one of your flock dies, you say he goes to purgatory ? 

" Priest. Yes, Sir ; that is a part of the faith b3longing to 
the Catholic Church. 

" Coun. What then, after all your pardons and absolu- 
tions, cannot you clear him straight to heaven, without his 
first touching at purgatory ? 

" Priest. Sir, the Catholic Church has determined, that 
the sacrifice of the mass is necessary to redeem souls out of 
- urgatory. 

" Coun. You have good pickings then, it should seem 
both from the rich and the poor, from the living and the dead; 
especially in saying of masses for them after they are gone to 
purgatory ! 

" Priest. Sir, I acknowledge there are considerable advan- 
tages derived to the Holy Catholic Church by these sacrifices 
and oblations. And, as the rich are not so attentive to their duty 
while they live, it is expected they should make it up to us 
when they die; they cannot expect the blessings of the 
Catholic religion to be conferred upon them for a trifle. 

" Coun. NoWj as all these are so many profits and advan- 
tages arising from the different services performed in your 
chapel, and I am told there are many others also; alt we want 
to know is the income produced by it, that we may know what 
vou are to be rated, as an assessment for the parochial poor 



REV. ivGWLAND HILL. 



213 



This is followed up by aootlier specimen, in which a Pro- 
-xstant Dissenter is tested by a similar catechisation from Mr. 
Counsellor Spankie, " in the ever memorable year of religious 
liberty, 1812," but though equally curious with that of the 
Catholic Priest, now given, it is too much extended to admit 
of insertion in this memoir ; it occupies about thirteen pages 
of Mr. Hill's pamphlet. In the latter, the chairman is made 
to interfere and rebuke Mr. Spankie for his intolerant 
language, about not suffering what the Toleration Act posi- 
tively allows. In a foot-note on the passage, Mr. Hill 
remarks, " It is a strange thing to hear a writer in the Morning 
Chronicle [which Mr. S. was at that time well known to be, 
and to have long been] talking in this way ; but it is no new 
remark that those who are loudest in the clamours for liberty, 
are the most intolerant and oppressive when in power. The 
true spirit which actuates such persons, is merely an impa- 
tience of insubordination, and a desire to throw the yoke olF 
their own necks, that they may fix it upon other people. The 
French Revolution has well developed this character." 

There can be no doubt that this was a critical moment for 
the protestant dissenters of this country; it brought them 
fairly into collision with the high-church parly, who clearly 
saw that the Bible and Missionary and Sunday School Societies 
were spreading their influence throughout the country, greatly 
to the injury of the established order of things. But an appli- 
cation to Parliament was made a little before the end of the reign 
ol George III. entitled " An Act to repeal certain Acts, and 
amend other Acts relating to Religious Worship and Assemblies, 
and Persons teaching and preaching therein," (Statute 52 
Geo. III. cap. 155), which operated as a considerable boon to 
the dissenters ; and Mr. Hill notices it at the close of his 
pamphlet with evident satisfaction. " Our religious privileges," 
says he, " were always great ; but now greater still, since the 
passing of the Religious Worship Act: we have scarcely any 
thing left to excite our fears, while we have the highest cause 
of respect and gratitude to our governors; and thankfulness 



m 



MEMOIRS OF 



before God. May our affectionate obedience keep pace with 
the privileges we so amply enjoy !" 

As the parish authorities, actuated by others behind the 
scenes, continued to manifest a disposition to harrass the 
dissenters with parochial assessments after numerous defeats, 
Mr. Hill published, in 1816, a pamphlet of 55 pages, 8vo. 
entitled " Religious Freedom in Danger, or the Toleration 
Act Invaded, &c. &c, in which he repeats many things he 
had said in bis former writings on this subject, with additional 
arguments; and for which, as well as^ for all his. exertions in 
this cause, the dissenters are under great obligations to his 
memory. In the last ti-act, he says, " though the efforts of our 
adversaries have been five times baffled, and suffieient evi- 
dence has been given, how disgustful such a conduct is to the 
neighbourhood at large, yet the same odious efforts are to be 
continued by them, even a sixth time over. 

" While we are thus obliged to resist, as long as we are 
thus attacked, I shall be happy to convince my kind neigh- 
bours, that it is nothing like a peevish obstinacy, or a mean 
attempt to save ourselves from the charge of a parochial 
assessment, but from a much higher and more important 
consideration. If we yield, our mean submission would be the 
prelude of a universal attack which would prove vexatious to 
all, and utterly ruinous to poorer congregations, who have 
scarcely the means to support themselves. And that this is 
the real design of our persecutors is evident, by their anony- 
mous papers, which have appeared in the public prints, 
though they are ashamed of their names, yet the war-whoop of 
persecution they are not ashamed to utter. The old cry, that 
the church and state are in danger, if sectaries and separatists 
are permitted to prevail, is loudly raised, while they suppose, 
that such a persecuting taxation may succeed beyond a thou- 
sand arguments which they presume not to produce. For 
these reasons we resist, and shall resist this cruel attack in 
its stages. 

' As to myself, though) I am not obliged to satisfy every 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



215 



inipertinent enquirer; yet if any one supposes I am making a 
Yj'wse by my winter's residence at Surrey Chapel, they may 
be assured a considerable surplus is required out of my own 
private fortune to discharge all the demands that are made upon 
nie from day to day, from the situation I am called to fill. I shall, 
therefore, never think it necessary to embarrass myself with a 
IdYger share of such expences, not only because it is not 
needed ; but because I do not chuse to deny myself a privi- 
lege that I have ever yet enjoyed, namely, of lending my aid 
to other charitable institutions, and of making all my labours, 
wnen absent from town, perfectly gratuitous wherever I am 
called to serve. The tongue of unprovoked slander has called 
from me this vindication of myself." 



SECTION IX. 

MR. hill's sermon PREACHED BEFORE THE VOLUNTEERS HIS 

SERMON BEFORE THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY AND 

HIS MINOR TRACTS. 

It was in the year of 1803, after a short truce of about 
eighteen months, that an end was put to the peace of Amiens, 
and hostilities were renewed between France and England. 
iSapoleon Bonaparte, hitherto first consul of France, had by a 
series of military exploits, unexampled in history, greatly 
consolidated his power, and the continental states were, one 
and all, become his vassals. To adopt the language of the 
Prophet Isaiah, " he bad removed the bounds of the people, 
and robbed them of their treasures, and put down the inhabit- 
ants like a valiant man : his hand had found as a nest the 
riches of tl:ie people, and as one gathereth eggs that are left, 
so had he gathered all the earth, and," of all the sovereigns of 
tue continent of Europe, "there was none that moved the 
wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped/' ch. x, 13, 14. Great 



216 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



Britain Lilono maintained, her independency; and because she 
rcf'-i'cd to submit to his dictatioTi, the infatuated despot now 
publicly avowed his determination to attempt the invasion of 
England. He did not affect to conceal the dangers which 
must attend such an enterprise : he frankly owned that the 
chances were a hundred to one against him, that he and the 
greatest part of his expedition would go to the bottom of the 
t-eii ; nevertheless he was bent upon it. 

To meet this threatened danger, the country rose as one 
man ; volunteer companies were formed in every district; and 
lbe ministers of religion exerted their eloquence to stimulate 
their zeal and courage. Among others, Mr. Hill came promi- 
nently forward, to shew his patriotism; and on the 4th of 
l^ecember, 1803, preached a sermon, at Surrey Chapel, prima- 
rily designed for the benefit of such of his stated hearers as 
Imd buckled on their armour in their country's defence; but 
the intimation having gone abroad of what was intended, the 
place became thronged with volunteers from other quarters, 
much to the preacher's surprise and gratification. Mr. Hill 
afterwards published the sermon, and dedicated it "to the 
Volunteers residing in and about the metropolis, who assem- 
bled on the occasion," with the Author's most affectmiale 
respects. An extract from the Dedication will give the reader 
some idea of what Mr. Hill's feelings and impressions were at 
the time of addressing them. Thus he writes, 

" Gentlemen. When I first submitted to the request of some 
of your body, to preach a Sermon to Volunteers, I had no con- 
ception that I should be honoured with a much larger number 
than what miglit be collected from among those who statedl 
attend at this chapel, conjoined with some others of thei 
comrades who might also reside in the vicinage. It was there- 
fore far beyond my expectation, when 1 found myself favoured 
with such a numerous and respectable attendance collected 
from every quarter of the city, belonging to your truly patrioti 
body. 

" At the same time I have to acknowledge, that your very 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



217 



respectable appearance, your becoming deportment while in 
ihe nouse of God, and especially the truly serious and animated 
manner in which you all stood up to sing the high praises of 
our God, filled me with solemn surprise, and exhibited before 
me one of the most affecting scenes I think I ever beheld.— 
Could I have foreseen the full extent of the desires of so many 
patriots, who have made such costly sacrifices for the public 
good, I certainly should have provided better for some who 
were disappointed of their accommodations, from the intrusion 
of those whose curiosity unhappily prevented the attending of 
a larger number of your brethren in arms. By this circum- 
stance, the shades of the evening came upon us, not leaving 
sufficient time for the public service which was then before us ; 
and finding, from the press of the people, the utter impracti- 
cability of introducing the necessary lights, and fearing what 
might be the consequence of dismissing so large an assemblage 
when the evening was entirely closed, I was not only under 
the necessity of adopting some considerable abridgments 
towards the latter end of the discourse, but also of finishing 
the Sermon in such a manner as m.ust have appeared to my 
auditory somewhat abrupt and confused, 

" It is principally for this cause, connected with the request 
of many of my hearers, conjoined also with the idea that a 
multitude fully equal to those who attended, could not gain 
admittance, that the Sermon then preached is now corrected 
and enlarged for the public perusal, according to its original 
design. A further reason may also be assigned, why this 
humble attempt should appear in print : A great number of 
our national defenders are connected with many of the dissent- 
ing congregations belonging to this city. These make it a 
point, and would to God that others, who boast of being 
members of the established church, followed their praise- 
worthy example, regularly to attend the communion [adminis- 
tration of the Lord's Supper] which in general is done in the 
afternoon of the first Sabbath of every month ; and I am sorrv, 
out of respect to that body of our fellow- Christians. I was not 



218 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



apprised of this abjectio-ft before it was too late to recall my 
intention, without creating considerable confusion among 
others, as public notice of this design had spread itself more 
widely than could be recalled. And surely never was the 
time in which we were called upon to manifest the mild and 
excellent tempers of the Gospel, more than in the present day, 
when all parties, without the least distinction, come forth as 
one body to support the constitutional liberties of our land 
against a foreign foe. 

" I conceive these hints not irrelevant among you, gentle- 
Hten, who came to Surrey Chapel, as one body, to testify a 
solemn sense of the fear of God, of your united loyalty and 
patriotism under the present emergency of our public affairs: 
and should this unhappy war continue, and our lives be preserved, 
I indulge the hope that an Annual Sermon on the like occasion 
would not be unacceptable, when the whole chapel will be 
devoted to that service, better order be preserved, and highest 
respect manifested to all those who fear God and honour the 
king. 

" I am, Gentlemen, 

" Affectionately and respectfully, 
" Yours, &c. 

" R. Hull," 

" Surrey Chapel, Dec. 10, 1803." 

Mr. Hill took for his text, Psalm xx. ver. 7 and 8, " Some 
trust in chariots, and some in horses ; but we will remember 
the name of the Lord our God. They are brought low and^ 
fallen ; but we are risen and stand upright And thus the 
Sermon commences. 

" It is with no mean design of flattery, when I confess the 
feelings of my heart; how highly I acknowledge myself 
honoured by such a large and respectable assemblage of 
Volunteers, who have spontaneously collected themselves 
together under this roof ; far more respect than I can pay is 
your due. We behold you as the kind defenders of our 
country, and highly honour your patriotic zeal; you are 



REV. KOWLANP HILL. 



219 



makiiag' costly sacrifices of a considerable degree of your 
(^mestic happiness and repose. Many of you are blessed with 
beloved companions in life ; and your children, the pledges of 
your mutual love, are growing up like olive-branches around 
your tables, and entwine about your hearts with much endear- 
ing solicitude. A large share of your pleasant intercourse 
with these, you are already obliged to forego, while no incon- 
siderable portion of your time, which otherwise would be 
devoted to their maintenance, you are under the necessity of 
resigning. Still far greater sacrifices than these may be 
demanded of you : but it is to your prowess, under the divine 
blessing, their delicate and tender frames lookup for protection 
and support. 

" Let it be remembered, however, that you are called 
forward as the defenders of your country, under the most 
pressing and peculiar circumstances the nation ever yet 
beheld ; and as the cause is the most urgent, your zeal should 
be the most ardent. You have to counteract the designs of 
that cruel tyrant, that; plunderer of Europe, who talks of 
liberty, and entails slavery wherever he can reach them by 
the rod of his power, and spares none who are obliged to 
submit to his despotic sway. Our property is no longer ours 
but his, the moment he becomes the conqueror of our happy 
land. 

''Again, I address you as the honourable defenders of 
female delicacy ar.d decrepit age. What lawless violence, 
what wanton cruelty have we heard of, almost from every 
quarter where the victorious tyrant has been permitted to 
prevail ; and what warmth of gratitude should we feel when 
old age begins to creep upon us, and our blood is felt to chill 
in our veins, that, by the prowess of your youthful vigour, 
we are defended and permitted peaceably to lay down our 
hoary heads in the grave. The more imminent, however, our 
dangers m^y be, the more highly the public are indebted to 
you for yow zeal and courage, who now stand forth as the 
bwlwa^ib and defenders^ of the n9,tion. May our most fervent 



220 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



prayers never be wanting on your behalf, that your persons 
may be mercifully protected, and your patriotic zeal crowned 
with all the success your hearts could wish. 

"But let it be remembered we are now in the house of the 
Most High and holy God, and for public worship before him 
— who is the searcher of all hearts, it is therefore my inten- 
tion to take up your time no further than present circumstances 
may render it necessary, as relates to those things that are 
military and political. Subjects of this kind can seldom be 
deemed proper for the pulpit, while others of infinite import- 
ance are perpetually before us. 

" I can only, therefore, hint, that the cause you have to 
sustain is the most just and necessary in itself, but that the 
happy existence of your families exists with it. While you 
exert yourselves for the public good, it is for your OAvn good 
also. All the property you can obtain by your honest industry, 
sol)riety, and attention, is now at stake ; the commercial spirit 
of the nation is its glory : when despoiled of this we lose our 
all. And I mean not flattery when I further observe, that 
much of the good of the nation arises from this sort of mutual 
confidence and intercourse with each other. A life of laziness 
and dissipation is a life of wickedness. Proud, indeed, is 
that man, and not less ignorant than proud, who looks with 
any degree of indifference and contempt upon those who, in 
their honourable mercantile concerns, let tne world know, that 
if there be more virtue among some than others, it is most 
frequently found to exist with those v/ho are in habits of 
mutual intercourse and commerce w^ith each other. 

" You have the honour to be called forth as the champions 
and defenders of our civil constitution, the excellency of 
which has rendered us the envy and admiration of the world. 
Among all the foreign correspondents that have fallen to my 
lot, their language to me has been, ' the people of your happy 
island.' And to what cause must this be attributed ? To the 
well- framed equipoise interwoven in the excellent government 
of our land. And the history of our own country, while its 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



221 



constitutioRal government was properly attended to, bespeaks 
its praise. What I now say respecting our civii government, 
1 speak m the sincerity of my heart. I am glad that we have 
an hereditary Monarch to fill the throne. I am glad that the 
rich men of the nation, possessed of mucli landed property, 
compose a House of Lords, and are the hereditary senators of 
the land, to form a balance in our civil power ; and I am glad 
the people have their elective representatives in the House of 
Commons on their behalf 

" Observe now the excellency of this well-framed constitu- 
tion, and you must admire it The throne is hereditary ; 
otherwise, in our nation, the cabals for its successor would be 
endless and dangerous in a high degree. Absolute monarchy 
frequently degenerates into oppressive tyranny; but this is 
counteracted by the Lords; they have power to defend the 
liberties of the land, for they are hereditary— they cannot be 
deprived of their legislative authority; and from the same 
principle, it is their interest also ; and while these arbitrate 
between the King and the Commons, it is acknowledged that 
much oppression frequently arises, so corrupted is human 
nature, from the pride of aristocratic power. All these evils 
the Commons can correct; the property of the nation is 
entirely entrusted with them, while all the capricious conse- 
quences of a repubhcan spirit are corrected by the controlling 
power of the Lords, and the executive authority of the Crown. 
Thus we have all that which corrects the evils as they are 
found to exist in different forms of government, while the 
power and strength of the whole are beautifully blended 
together, and conjoined in one. 

" Let me next call to your recollection tlie scenes that have 
been exhibited in a neighbouring nation. Let their state be 
contrasted with ours. Notwithstanding the long scourge of 
war, we know the happiness we still enjoy. They once were 
blessed with a King, and a patriotic King, as well as our- 
selves. He convened his subjects [adverting to the assem- 
bling of the States General, or National ConveuUonj and 



222 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



into their hands he resigned all the offensive prerogatives of 
the Crown. But, alas for their ingratitude ! When he found 
his kingly power annihilated all but in name, no wonder if he 
attempted to regain so much of the power of the crown which 
he had a right to enjoy, and which he only wished to exert for 
the people's good ; and for those supposed crimes he was led 
to the block, to become the murdered victim of the people's 
tyrannic pride ; for princes and people (such is the corruption 
of human nature) can play the tyrant by turns. And who 
rules them now ? What has all their revolutionary madness 
produced among them ? Scarce the semblance of liberty has 
the present tyrant left them to enjoy. Oh, let me, from these 
hints, as it respects the present state of the world, advise the 
most respectable company of soldiers I ever beheld, to be 
well grounded in the knowledge of our constitutional liberties^ 
that you may all esteem it among the first of your privileges, 
to stand forward in their defence. Thus equally defended 
from anarchy and slavery, may we be truly grateful for the 
privileges cf the happy country in which our lot is cast. 

" We have now sufficient evidence that the proud tyrant 
against whom we fight, will never rest till every country he 
can reach becomes the abject slave of his ambitious power 
we therefore must resist or be ruined. Still may you take 
courage, and rest yourselves on God. Did you ever stand by 
the ocean after a tremendous storm? Did you ever watch 
the vast impetuosity of the waves as they lift themselves up 
against those firm rocks appointed by Providence to resist the 
proudest of them ? Their resistance being made, they retire^ 
and are lost in the bed of the ocean. So, stand but for a 
while and view the present crisis of our public affairs, and I 
trust you will behold these proud waves which now attempt to 
dash themselves against our British shore, retiring back 
again into that ocean from whence with so much impetu- 
osity they arose, leaving nothing but their unavailing froth 
behind. 

After alij war is one of the greatest evils we can possibly 



KEV, ROWLAND HILL. 



223 



sustain, thougli it be a most just and righteous punishmont 
from the hand of God. He has a right to chastise, and we 
have no right to complain. I well recollect what my heart 
felt when I first appeared in this place, and what a pensive 
sabbath I then spent, after the die was cas i: that war was to 
recommence. I felt for our British youth exceedingl^r. I 
know the dangers and temptations to which they are exposed 
m the military line, and what grace is needed to preserve 
them from those scenes of riot and dissipation, which are 
infinitely more dangerous to the morals of the rising genera- 
tion, than the sword itself can be to their persons in the 
hottest day of battle. When people are given over to follow 
tlie corruptions of their polluted hearts, far more evils arise 
against themselves from the abounding profligacy of manners, 
than can ever follow from the curse of war itself. O that you, 
my dear young friends and protectors, may be mercifully 
protected and preserved from all those dangers to which you 
are now exposed ; that while you are showing a zeal so hi'ghly 
commendable, in fighting for your King and your country's 
cause, you may never forget to take unto yourselves the whole 
armour of God — the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, 
the helmet of salvation ; that you may be enabled to fight the 
good fight of faith, till you have finished the well-fought day, 
and ultimately are enabled to lay hold of eternal life. Such 
are the glorious blessings promised to the Christian Soldier, 
by that God who cannot lie : the strength of his arm and 
power of his love shall never be wanting to make us more than 
conquerors, while with holy confidence and devotedness of 
heart, we rest our souls on him." Thus far Mr. Hill. 

I am induced to give this copious extract from the exordium 
of his sermon, in order that the reader may have a fair oppor- 
tunity of forming his estimate of Mr. Hill's patriotism^ which 
no other part of his writings furnishes — at least in so ample a 
manner. Eccentric as he certainly was in many things, he 
was on this point sound and orthodox ! His views of the 
theory of the British Constitution, and of its adaptedness to 



224 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



secure the political liberties and happiness of the governed, 
are in perfect unison with those of our most enlightened 
statesmen ; and his decided attachment to it, as well as to the 
land, of his fathers — is worthy of a Briton. The counsel 
tendered to the defenders of his country is excellent, and 
sufficiently indicates that he was secfond to no one in the amor 
patrics. In the course of his sermon he glances at " a 
certain set of things called philosophers in France, of whom the 
infidel Volney was their great Apollo," — and of which detested 
cast was " that low infidel, Paine — a daring incendiary, whose 
design ^vas to mate us as miserable in England by his mad 
politics, as they have made themselves in France — a mere 
vulgar pot-house sot! This is tlie oracle who was to reform 
the world in religion and politics." 

Mr. Hill's sermon contains some admirable observations on 
the demoralizing tendency of the principles of infidelity, in 
proof of which he appeals to the anarchy and confusion and 
wide spreading desolation which had been the bitter fruits 
created by them in France. He then reverses the picture, 
and shows how divinely adapted the Gospel is to counteract 
the corruption of human nature, sanctify the depraved hearts 
of men, to turn lions into lambs, and monsters in human 
shapes into men. He looks to the consequences produced in 
France by the annulling of the sabbath, and exclaims, " O 
the profanation of the sabbath ! and I had almost said, the 
infinite evils produced thereby. And will they not be infinite 
in the direful consequences of their future effects ? Even in 
a political point of view, we discover that every nation rises 
or falls, according as the sabbath day is kept or profaned 
among them. If the service of God be neglected on the day 
of his own appointment, it is sure to be neglected altogether, 
and it is an established fact, that the common rules of civili- 
zation begin to deteriorate where the Christian dispensation is 
brought into neglect. In Christianity alone the highest state 
of civilization is to be found. Look with holy pity on that 
nation, whicTi for a while had erased their sabbaths from their 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



225 



calendar, with the impious design that the name of Christianity 
might be forgotten throughout the land/'' 

The sermon concludes with the following pious benediction: 
" Having thus addressed you in the fear of God — excuse the 
feebleness of this my humble attempt, and accept this free- 
will offering as that which comes from the heart and spirit of 
one, who loves you for your zeal, and prays constantly for 
your protection, before him who is our confidence and strength. 
May more than the profession — may the possession of Chris- 
tianity be the glory and blessing of all your hearts. Let this 
be the principal ornamental character that belongs to you 
that you fear God and reverence his word. Thus may you 
all live to give glory to his great name, and may all the praise 
be ascribed to him from whom all our protection is vouchsafed. 
Yea, may the richest abundance of his blessings be upon you 
ibr his name's sake. Amen." 

At the close of the sermon the following hymn, composed 
by Mr. Hill for the occasion, was sung by the congregation, 
all standing, and it deserves a place in this memoir, as a 
specimen of his powers of versification. 

THE KINGDOM OF IMMANUEL EXALTED 

When Jesus first at heaven's command, 

Descended from his azure Throne, 
Attending ang-els join'd his praise, 

Who claim' d the kingdoms for his own. 

Hail Immanuel — Immanuel we'll adore. 
And sound his fame from shore to shore. 

Girt with omnipotence supreme, 

The powers of darkness trembling stood 

To hear the dire decree and feel — 
The vengeance of the mighty God ! 
Hail Immanuel, &c. 

Not with the sword that warrior's wear,. 

But with a sceptre dipt in blood, 
He bends the nations to obey, 

And rules them by the love of God. 
Hail Immanuel, &c. 
Q 



MEMOIRS or tun 



Oh irfay the rti&nioTf of Ms mrACf 
Inspire our armies for the fight ; 

Our vaunting foes shall die with shame, 
Or quit our coasts with hasty flight. 
Hail Immanuel, &e. 

In his salvation is our boast, 

And in the strength of Israel's God, 
Our troops shall lift their banners high ; 

Our navies spread their flags abroad. 
Hail Immanuel, &c. 

Soon may the Kingdoms of the earth 
From sin and Satan's dreadful thrall. 

By thy great power and grace be freed. 
And Christ alone be all in all. 

Hail Immanuel, &c. 

Ride on and prosper King of kings. 
Till all the powers of hell resign 

Their dreadful trophies at thy feet. 
And everlasting praise be thine. 
Hail Immanuel, &c. 



It may not be irrelevant to observe that the above poem 
was originally composed for the use of the Missionary Society, 
and is to be found in the Evangelical Magazine, vol. 5, 
p. 263, but in a different shape. The first three stanzas are 
the same; but in place of the fourth, fifth, and sixth, the 
Missionary Hymn has the following : — 



Ride on and prosper, King of kings 
Till all the powers of hell, resign 

Their dreadful trophies at thy feet, 
And everlasting praise be thine. 

Go with thy servants, gracious Lord, 
And bid them tread the tempter down ; 

Be more than conquerors by thy w(5rd, 
And wear the universal crown. 

Soon shall the monster sin submit 
His hateful sceptre to thy call ; 

Death and death's author soon shall die. 
And Jesus Christ be All in All. 



KEV ROWLAND HILL. 



227 



The interest which Mr. Hill took in all the ooncerfis of the 
London Missionary Society is too well known by the present 
generation, to render any detailed account of the matter 
necessary in this place. It was in the year 1794, that this 
important enterprise was first taken up, and the attention of 
the religious public pointedly called to it by means of an 
Address to Professors of the Gospel, drawn up by the late 
Dr. Bogue, of Gosport, and published in the columns of the 
Evangelical Magazine, for September, of the same year. On 
the 4th of November following, the first concerted meeting, 
with a view to the formation of a society, took place. Early 
in January, 1795, the few ministers who had associated them- 
selves at the first meeting, resolved to try the disposition, and 
call in the aid of evangelical ministers in London, for which 
purpose they prepared and printed a second Address, on the 
subject of Missions to the Heathen, which was not only pub- 
lished in the Evangelical Magazine, but also distributed 
privately, accompanied by a written letter, inviting them to a 
meeting to be held on the 15th of January, with a view to 
ulterior proceedings. From this time till the month of Sep- 
fember, meetings were multiplied in abundance, and the 
society gained increasing strength. It was therefore resolved 
to commence operations without further delay, and on Monday 
evenmg, the 21st of September, the first general meeting was 
held, and arrangements made for six public services of religion 
on the three following days. On Tuesday morning, Sept. 
22d, Mr. Haweis, of Aldwinlde, preached at the Spa-fields 
Chape], and Mr. George Burder, in the evening at Crown- 
court. On Wednesday morning, the 23d, Mr. Greatheed, of 
Woburn, preached at Haberdashers' Hall ; and in the evening, 
Mr. Hey, of Bristol, at the Tabernacle, Finsbury. On 
Thursday morning, Mr. Rowland Hill preached at Surrey 
Chapel; and in the evening, Mr. Bogue, of Gosport, at Tot- 
tenham Court Chapel. All the meetings were exceedingly 
crowded, a great number of persons were unable to gain 
admission : about two hundred ministers were present on these 

Q 2 



228 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



occasions. The intervals of worship were employed in con- 
stituting the society. 

Having thus glanced at the formation of this society, I 
return to Mr. Hill's sermon delivered on that occasion. He 
entitled it, as it issued from the press, " Glorious Displays of 
Gospel Grace and the text was Matt. xxiv. 14, " The 
Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for 
a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come." 
The following advertisement was prefixed to the printed 
copies : " The public are requested to notice, that this sermon 
was entirely extempore ; the preacher, not in the least sup- 
posing it would be demanded for public inspection, had 
nothing before him but a few references to ditFerent passages 
of scripture ; and that the short-hand- writer could scarce 
preserve a quarter of what was then delivered, as from the 
multitudes that attended, he was placed in a situation in which 
he had neither room to write, nor an opportunity distinctly to 
hear. The preacher, however, has done his best in recol- 
lecting what was then delivered; and has preserved to the 
utmost of his power, the free, plain, extempore style of his 
sermon. Nor has he conceived himself at liberty to add a 
new thought to the subject, but as he was compelled by 
necessity, either to keep up the connexion, or from the 
scantiness of the materials he had for the work." 

Although the Sermon cannot be reckoned among Mr. Hill's 
ablest pulpit addresses, there are to be found in it some 
redeeming points, and to rescue it from the oblivion into 
which, after an interval of forty years, it is in danger of sink- 
ing, I shall submit to the reader an epitome of its contents. 

After expressing the deep convictions of his mind of the 
solemnity of the present occasion, he proceeds to remark that 
" matters of salvation are of infinite importance. The glory of 
bringing souls to Christ is the greatest honour God can confer 
upon us ; since the salvation of one soul is of more worth than 
a thousand worlds. While you thus assemble on the business 
of sending the gospel to the heathen nations, may you be so 



REV. ROV/LAND HILL. 



229 



filled with the Spirit and power from above, as that you may 
be a thousand times more successful, not only in promoting 
good among those whom you are more immediately concerned 
to serve in the ministry of the word, but also for the conver- 
sion of the foor heathens in your neighbourhood; for, alas! 
what crowds of heathens, and worse than heathens, though 
under the Christian name, are every where to be found 
amongst us ! And why may we not expect that such a fire shall 
now be kindled, as that not only wonders may be done among 
those nations that know not God, but that even in our own 
land, it shall be our portion also to be indulged with a remark- 
able revival of the power of religion, 'a time of refreshing 
from the presence of the Lord.' 

What littleness and insignificance are stamped on all the 
things of time and sense, when compared to such blessings as 
these ! what avail the things that are temporal in comparison 
of those that are eternal! Here are glories that words can 
never teach, nor tongue express ; and I wonder not at the sensa- 
tions of one happy mind, who though quite in the agonies of 
dissolving nature, and beyond the power of giving an intel- 
igible answer to any question asked, yet, with a hojje full of 
immortality, though m the arms of death, exclaimed, ' O the 
glories I O the glories ! O the glories !' Now to be made the 
happy instruments of conveyiiig so much fulicity, in such 
solemn circumstances, as this dying man felt, what an honour! 
While we live, may God fill our hearts with these surprising 
glories, that they may be cur cordial in our departing 
moments ; and may divine mercy teach a world of sinners to 
seek the same 1 We shall tlien not blusli, at what the world 
calls the irregalarity of our conduct. When an apostolic 
warmth of zeal shall make every minister a missionary around 
his own neighbourhood ; and when touched with the sacred 
tenderness of Christian compassion, he can never be contented 
while on earth, to leave a single sinner, within his reach, 
unconverted to God. 

The words of the text give us to understand, that as 



230 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



wonders have been done in former ages by the Gospel, so in 
future, still greater glories shall be accomplished — ' the Lord's 
hand is not shortened that it cannot save, or his ear waxed dull 
that it cannot hear;' and the time is still to come when 'the 
knowledge of God shall cover the earth, as the waters do the 
sea,' when ' the kingdoms of this world shall become the 
kinofdom of our Lord and his Christ' " 

Mr. Hill's general plan is to trace throughout the pages of 
the inspired writings, " the out-pourings of the Spirit in 
different ages, under the divine manifestation of mercy to 
mankind," in the view of enlarging the hearts of his numerous 
audience, in quickening their hopes at the present crisis. The 
first, in respect of priority as to time, and indeed as being the 
source from which all the rest issued, is the gracious promise 
of the seed of the woman^ made to our offending first parents 
immediately after the fall, " but limited to a narrow channel 
throus^hout the Antediluvian world, the knowleds^e and fear of 

O ? ID 

God being preserved in the family of Noah alone." He 
pursues this stream of promise in the person of Abraham, and 
m the covenant made with him and his posterity : in the 
displays of divine power and mercy accompanying the 
deliverance out of Egypt; in the revivals that succeeded, 
through the zeal and intrepidity of Caleb and Joshua ; then 
under the Judges; under the regency of Samuel; in the 
increasing glories which rested on the church, during the 
reign of David, and the still greater glory of the first years of 
Solomon; in the revivals which commenced under Asa, and 
were kept alive under his son Jehosaphat; in the glorious 
days of good king Hezekiah, and of the young Josiah. He 
adverts to the period of the return of the Jews from the 
Babylonian captivity, and what took place under the govern- 
ment of Ezra and Neheraiah, which was succeeded by a long 
and gloomy night of darkness, during which the Spirit of 
prophecy was totally withdrawn. 

At length the dawn appears — John the Baptist is raised up 
to preach the doctrine of repentance and announce the advent 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



231 



of tke Messiah, the hope of Israel, the desire of all nations. 
Thus did the harbinger prepare the way of the Lord. And 
now we contemplate the glories of that bright day created by 
the manifestation of him who is the hrightness of the Father''& 
glory ^ and the express image of his person. It was natural 
to expect that when Jehovah incarnate, the Son of God, 
commenced a preacher of the everlasting Gospel, wonders 
would be wrought, and not a hearer resist the word spoken. 
But though "he spake as never man spake;" and though 
"he had multitudes for his hearers, insomuch that he was 
obliged to take the mountain for his pulpit; though he went 
about from village to village, and from city to city, to preach 
the Gospel of the kingdom, we find no more, after his cruci- 
fixion, than a hundred and twenty souls collected together in 
an upper room, for fear of the Jews. How shall we account for 
this ? Why, * the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was 
not yet glorified.' He must first put away sin by the sacrifice 
of himself, before the effects of his work could fully appear. 
It was not meet that the blessing should be vouchsafed till the 
curse was removed; but when once the great work was 
finished, and Jesus had ascended to the throne of his kingdom 
in the heavens, according to the glorious word ' Lift up your 
heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors, and 
the King of glory shall come in' — when he had finished his 
conquests, and had ascended up on high, * leading even 
captivity captive,' then came the blessed time when he would 
* give gifts unto men, even the rebellious, and come and dwell 
amongst them.' 

" Thus having prepared the mansions for his people, he next 
sends down his Spirit to prepare his people for those mansions. 
O the glories of that sacred day ! ' behold, now indeed, the 
tabernacle of God is with man.' According to our Lord's 
direction, the disciples waited at Jesusalem for the fulfilment 
of his promise, and lo ! he comes — their understandings are 
enlightened to understand the Scriptures, their hearts are 
inflamed, and they preach the word with faithfulness and power. 



232 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



Previous to this, neither the thunders of the Baptist preaching 
in the wilderness, nor yet the words of grace which dropt from 
the lips of Christ himself, could effectually reach conviction to 
the minds of almost any; but now the preaching of a poor 
set of illiterate fishermen melts the adamantine hearts of the 
murderers of Christ, and brings them by thousands to submit 
to his righteous and merciful sceptre. On the very first day 
after the day of Pentecost was fully come, we hear of three 
thousand; at another time we hear the numbers increased to 
five thousand ; then again, that believers were added to the 
Lord, multitudes both of men and women : and further, ' the 
number of the disciples multiplied greatly;' and, what was 
the greatest wonder of all wonders, that ' a gi-eat company of 
the priests were obedient to the faith.' Yea, we hear of whole 
villages, towns, cities, countries which at once were subjugated 
to the Lord Jesus, 'so mightily grew the word of God, and 
prevailed.' 

" But what was the doctrine, especially in the great revival 
on the day of Pentecost ? The plain simple preaching of the 
cross of Christ. And who were the instruments employed? 
A company of plain iUiterate fishermen. Better a thousand 
times to have the simplicity of a Peter than the eloquence of 
a Longinus, if we are but made useful to the souls of our 
fellow creatures ! That preaching is alwa^^s best, which best 
answers the end of preaching. Let us, therefore, go forth 
preaching the Gospel o f the kingdom^ as it is expressed in my 
text, and that too with simplicity and godly sincerity, not 
with fleshly Avisdom, and what has been done in the ages that 
are past, shall be done again. God mil ever stand by his own 
truth ; and if he be for us, who can be against us ? I hate the 
pride of such as would fain set aside this glorious dispensation, 
and are ever attempting to establish, what they call the 
powers of reason, in its stead, and are ever boasting of the 
mighty things that it can effect. Where are the converts 
of these boasted rational preachers? A fig for all their 
pretensions to wisdom, if they cannot produce one single 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



233 



sample of a precious soul being thereby converted from sin to 
God. 

" I bring forward the character of the great Mr. Whitefield 
on this occasion. I hope you do not blush for me that I 
mention his name on this subject, for verily I shall not blush 
for myself. God gave him a most enlarged mind, and libe- 
rated him from all the wretched trammels of education. He 
knew no party ; his glory was to preach the Gospel to every 
creature. Bigotry his soul abhorred; and like a second 
Sampson, he has so made her main supporting pillars to 
totter, that you and I, my brethren, rejoice that she trembles 
to the very foundation, and daily live in hope that her complete 
destruction shall complete our joy. 

Now, though I cannot thank the devil for any thing, yet I 
will say, I thank God for that permissive Providence, whereby 
that great man being turned out of the churches, esteemed it his 
duty to preach at large. His first attempt was among the 
poor Kingsvvood colliers, and I defy any missionary upon earth 
to find a darker spot, or to visit a more benighted people. 
These he called out of the holes and dens of the earth, and to 
these he preached " repentance towards God, and faith 
towards our Lord Jesus Christ." And, Oh, it was a lovely 
sight to behold the glorious effect! Eyes unaccustomed to 
weep before, now began to flow with the tears of repentance 
unto life, white streaks appearing thereby on their black faces, 
now turned up towards heaven, praying for mercy and forgive- 
ness. Knees unaccustomed to prayer before, are now bended 
down in fervent devotion before God ; and their lives well and 
wisely regulated by the power of that grace, which had done 
such wonders on their hearts. But mark what these fastidious 
sor.s of pride and self conceit had to say on this occasion. 
' To be sure, Whitefield has done good among these low sort 
of people;' a compliment for which we cannot thank them, 
seeing it is given with such a wretched ill grace ! though a 
higher panegyric (on Mr. Whitefield's labours) could not 
easily be found. We generally account him to be the best 



g34 MEMOIRS OF THE ^ 

physician who cures the most desperate diseases; aiid we 
should also suppose that he is the best minister, notwithstand- 
ing the convenient terms of methodist and enthusiast, that cures 
the diseases of the mind in its most desperate state; one would 
like to see some of these rationalists in religion (as they humbly 
wish to be thought,) trying their hands on a similar occasion. 
Let them seek for some other colliery of a like description, 
and there take one of their nicely composed paper pop-guns, 
and read it among the multitude! I would willingly and 
gladly carry the stool behind them, to see what sort of figures 
they would cut in their attempts to reform. I hate such silly 
pride, which is best corrected by the lash of ridicule and 
contempt." 

The extracts now laid before the reader are exceedingly 
characteristic of Mr. Hill's usual style of preaching, and 
furnish a more faithful portrait of him than could easily be 
achieved by verbal description. He delighted to indulge 
himself and amuse his hearers with digressions, containing 
anecdote, character, pleasantry, which accounts sufficiently for 
the popularity of his spoken discourses; but the effect is 
greatly weakened, when the eye, not the ear is the channel of 
communication to the mind. He was not insensible of this 
himself; but he could be solemn and grave as well as facetious, 
and of this he has given proof towards the conclusion of this 
missionary sermon, particularly when he comes to delineate 
the character of a missionary. The best part of his discourse 
is yet to come, and for the credit of the preacher, no less than 
the benefit of the reader, it shall not be withheld in this 
memoir. 

" The time allotted for this exercise will not allow me to 
trace minutely the successes which have attended the gospel 
since the apostles' days ; some of those of a later date have 
already been presented before you. We have now to encou- 
rage ourselves from the promises and prophecies of the word 
of God, of the glory that is yet to be revealed. The text itself 
gives blessed encouragement to our expectations : * The 



KEV. ROWLAND HILL. 



235 



gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for 
a witness unto all nations ; and then shall the end come.' 
And what may we not yet hope for, when God himself has 
said to his beloved son, ' Ask of me, and I will give thee the 
heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the 
earth for thy possession.' In the writings of Isaiah, prophecy 
abounds to encourage our hopes. God will ' say to the north 
give up, to the south hold not back ; bring my sons from 
afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth,' ch. xiiii. 6. 
' For I will give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou 
mayest be my salvation to the ends of the earth. In an 
acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation 
have I helped thee. I will preserve thee and give thee for a 
covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to 
inherit the desolate heritages: that thou mayest say to the 
prisoners go forth, a,nd to them that are in darkness shew 
yourselves,' Isa. xlix. 6, 8, 9. And again in ch. Lx. of the same 
prophet, how gloriously is the Gentile church called upon to 
^ Arise and shine, since her light is come, and the glory of the 
Lord is risen up on her.' Even while ' darkness covered the 
earth and gross darkness the people, the Lord should arise 
upon Zion; and the Gentiles should come to her light and 
kings to the brightness of her rising,' that, ' her sons should 
come from far, and her daughters should be nursed at her 
side. At your leisure read the whole of the chapter, and take 
encouragement therefrom to set about this blessed work of 
God, with all your hearts, and all your souls, and all your 
strength. 

" Convinced, therefore, from the word of prophecy, that 
greater things are to be done than ever yet have been done, 
let us encouraore ourselves in our God, waitino; with holv 
expectation till other nations ' sball cast away their idols that 
they have made, to the moles and to the bats, and turn unto 
the Lord,' Yes, my beloved, may not even we that now 
compose this solemn assembly, live in humble hope, that ere 
long we may see some devoted missionary returning, in hoiy 



236 



MKMOIRS OF THE 



triumph, to this his native land, with some detested idol that 
had robbed the great Jehovah of his honour; renowned and 
adhered to bj its once deluded votaries, now in the midst or 
the congregation, exhibited as the sportive triumph of all our 
hearts. And, further, may we not expect to behold some 
humble convert himself, blessing God in the midst of us for 
the work of this glorious day, in consequence of which his soul 
was brought out of darkness to behold the marvellous light of 
the gospel of Christ? Have we not recent instances before 
us that greatly encourage us to the work? I, with great glad- 
ness, mention the conduct of our Moravian brethren in this 
respect ; their zeal, their patience, and disinterested diligence 
m the like work, are beyond the praise that words can readb • 
and our gracious Lord has astonishingly blessed their attempts. 
Some of our West India islands have been surprisingly evan- 
gelized by them. The inhospitable climates of Greenland 
and Labradore have received the glad tidings of salvation, 
through their instrumentality. Neither the burning regions 
of the south, nor yet the frozen forests of the north, could ever 
impede their amazing love for souls. A nobler, a more disin- 
terested example than theirs we cannot follow. I hope we shall 
all feel it our privilege to keep up the most friendly corres- 
pondence with them. We will thank them heartily to tell us 
how they did the good, that we may go and do likewise. A 
better way than theirs we cannot devise, for it has answered 
the end. Souls have been brought to Christ thereby. They 
that do not speak most honourably of their mission, do them- 
selves the greatest dishonour. But I will take the liberty to 
remark one odd fancy of theirs : they suppose that the soul of 
a poor man is equally valuable, in the sight of God, as the 
soul of a rich man, and they have ever proved it, by going 
among the most abject of mankind. 

" What has also been done by our own government, by 
sending out some valuable missionaries to the East Indies, 
deserves a token of acknowledgment ; and I heartily pray that 
the Arminian methodists, so called in their mission, may send 



REV. ROWLAND HILi^. 



237 



a free grace gospel throughout the world ; and the late attempt 

set on foot by our baptist brethren, I trust, will be crowned 

with large success. And though our difference about the 

ordinance of baptism may constrain us to act in different lines, 

and they cannot permit us to communicate with them, yet we are 

determined to be up with them ; for both they and others, if 

they love the Lord Jesus, in sincerity, shall be most heartily 

welcome whenever they please to communicate with us. Our 

design is all the same No matter for the name of the boat 

that ferries over the poor benighted sinner into the land of 

gospel light and liberty, provided the blessed work be but 

accomplished. I hate bigotry with my soul^ and while so 

many gospel ministers of ditlerent denominations assemble 

together for the same purpose, I still hope to live to see it 

subsist no more, to divide the Christian from the Christian ; 

while each of us serves God in his own line, why cannot we 

iovQ as brethren ? 

Let names and sects and parties fall, 
And Jesus Christ be all in all. 

" I confess, in the simplicity of my heart, that some expres- 
sions have dropped from my lips, which I never designed on 
this solemn occasion. I am sure your patience and candour 
will instruct you to forgive ; but we must be serious ; serious, 
indeed, while we conclude with some remarks, on what ought 
to be the character of the missionaries themselves. And what 
manner of persons should these indeed be, in all holy 
conversation and godhness ! How full of that heavenly mind- 
edness and spiritual mindedness, which shall raise them so far 
above the world, as though they had scarce an existence in it ! 
What a holy burning zeal for the salvation of souls ! and what 
wisdom from above to conduct that zeal! what purity of 
knowledge to deal with those whose deep-rooted fondness for 
their ancient superstitions, will make them watch, with a 
jealous eye, over every attempt to declare among them the 
truth as it is in Jesus. 

" Nor, should their patience, meekness, and child-like 



238 



MEMOIRS OF TRM 



simplicity, be less eminent than their zeal. They iiiiust win by 
love, and conquer by holy perseverance. They must not be 
like some sort of missionaries who suppose they are to be sent 
a pleasant voyage at the public expence ; but they must be 
men ' that count not their lives dear unto themselves, so that 
they may finish their course with joy, and the ministry which 
they have received of the Lord men that can be contented 
out of pure love to Christ, to ' stand in jeopardy every hour.' 
They must not only live like martyrs, but perhaps die like 
martyrs. We know not but the ancient proverb of the primi- 
tive Christians is again to be revived ; ' the blood of the 
martyrs is the seed of the church,' They must be as dead to 
themselves as if they had no being ; they must be completely 
crucified with Christ! In short, ere they embark upon the 
work, they must learn to leave themselves behind them. With 
holy triumph they must be taught to say, ' Farewell, my dear 
native land ; farewell to all the ease and happiness and earthly 
indulgencies I have enjoyed therein; welcome affliction, 
necessities, distresses of every kind; labours, watchings, 
fastings, I now dread no more. Welcome a life now to be^ 
spent in journeying often, on perils of waters, in perils of 
robbers, in perils in the wilderness, in perils by the sea; yea, 
welcome weariness and painfulness, hunger and thirst, cold 
and nakedness ; yea, welcome death itself, whenever the 
blessed Lord himself, who died for me, demands that costly 
sacrifice at hands. These are the men that shall be made 
more than conquerors, over all the difficulties that human 
prudence, or unbelief, would present before us, to impede the 
way. 

" Human wisdom, we well know, would soon puzzle herself 
in the undertaking. While her little taper is brought to find 
the way through the darkness of the night, she only appears tO 
add blackness and obscurity to all things beyond the little 
region her rays can reach; but when the sun shines forth, he 
spreads his light upon the most distant objects, and every path 
is plain before us. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



Some may have apprehensions that little can be done, 
because miracles are wanting, and the gift of tongues is withi- 
drawn ! Doubtless, Peter had a notable proof at hand of th^ 
doctrine he preached, while the lame man was leaping in the 
temple who, but just before, had been healed by the name of 
the Lord Jesus. But miracles never cease, while souls are 
converted to God ; nor will tongues be ever wanting, while 
the wonderful change wrought by the grace of God, so loudly 
bespeaks the praises of his wonder-working power. Let 
heathens see what grace can do on a real convert, and we need 
not any further be discouraged for want of miracles and tongues. 
And that spirit of unanimity and zeal which has hitherto 
attended the work, is a happy sign that good shall be done. 
While the torrent runs with such rapidity for the accomplish- 
ment of so good a design, I would not for the world but 
appear on the Lord's side, on this occasion. ^ Curse yej 
Meroz, said the angel of the Lord; curse ye bitterly, the 
inhabitants thereof, because they came not to the help of the 
Lord; to the help of the Lord against the mighty.' No, my 
brethren ; the Providence of God commands that we exert 
ourselves for his glory. Difficulties there doubtless are, and 
an abundance of prayer, prudence, and holy zeal will be 
necessary to conduct the work. But God can provide (and 
supply) all that is necessary to carry on his own work in his 
own way; and we have nothing to do but to follow as he 
condescends to lead. Thanks be to God for the unanimity aild 
good-will that have hitherto subsisted among us; and may 
we still be found ' steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding 
in the work of the Lord, for as much as we are assured that 
our labours shall not be in vain in the Lord.' " 

This, it must be confessed, was raising the missionary 
standard high, in point of personal qualifications; so high 
that, during the forty years the society has existed, it is to be 
be feared, they have found but few to come up to it. But Mr. 
Hill acted upon an acknowleged maxim: Let your aim and 
standard be high, for you will always be below your standard ; 



240 



MEMOIRS OF T[IK 



and if your standard is high, your att ainments will be his a 
also*." The few last pages of this sermon are of a redeeming 
quality, and sufficient to shew, if proof were needed, that the 
preacher could be both grave and great, if he chose ; though 
he too often indulged his wit and pleasantry in the pulpif, 
a(3ting upon the principle, " Didce est desipei^e in locof^ yet, 
upon occasion, he could pierce through froth and -folly, aiul 
arrest the conscience and the heart 

There are one or two small tracts which Mr. Hill drew up 
for the use of the rising generation, which require a brief 
notice, in order to complete the catalogue of his publications. 

One of these, entitled, " Instructions for children ; or a 
Token of Love for the rising generation," has now reached 
an eighth edition. In the short preface which is dated 
" Surrey Chapel, May 2, 1831, Mr. Hill says, " The educa- 
tion of children is a most serious and important charge , and 
perhaps as difficult as important: for human nature is- very 
corrupted, and sure to make its early efforts against every 
attempt to promote their real good. To counteract this 
corrupted principle, and to use every mean for the establish- 
ment of the divine nature early in the minds of youth, should 
be the serious aim of all such as are entrusted with this 
weighty concern. While it is for man to use the means, it 
rests only with God to give the blessing. The time of youth, 
however, must be considered as the most promising for success 
We hear very much m the Gospels of our Lord's notice of 
children, and of his love to a child-like spirit. This is a good 
encouragement for such as are entrusted with education ; but 
shall I be understood if I observe, that all such should be 
very righteous, but not righteous overmuch. Children are 
naturally volatile ; they must be humoured in things that are 
innocent ; as well as corrected for their faults. Their educators, 
therefore, need tempers firm though mild and dispassionate; 



* Greene s Reminisce iices of ttobert Hall, p. 6. 

/ 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



241 



solid understandings, and gracious, aiFectionate. and generous 
hearts. 

To oppose this volatile disposition, is to oppose nature 
itself; it rather needs regulation than reproof; we should, 
therefore, first please, that afterwards we may profit. Though 
a child should be allowed to be innocently gay, yet all these 
little gaieties may need a mild controul. Parents and 
guardians must first be beloved, before they can be obeyed, 
unless by terror, wdiich only excites the obedience of vile 
servility, and which consequently creates detestation; and 
when from the fear of these things the mind is emancipated, 
the worst of consequences must ensue from such an ill-judged 
education. I therefore humbly request those to whom I now 
write, to join with me in this attempt for the good of the 
succeeding generation ; to pray for much grace in their hearts, 
and much wisdom in their understandings, that they may have 
much success in their undertakings. It is not in the power of 
language to reach the evils that arise from a neglect of this 
duty: carelessness and indifference are the open roads to 
profaneness and infidelity. On the other hand, the blessings 
that have attended religious education are very numerous. 
Many a parent has been made exceedingly happy in their 
offspring thereby; and as the residue of the Spirit is with the 
Lord, the like mercies are still in store for those who seek 
him, by diligent prayer." 

This is followed by a Sermon on Psalm xxxiv. 11, " Come 
ye children, hearken unto me; I will teach you the fear of the 
Lord:" in which he reminds them that they are the creatures 
of the great and all-seeing God that made heaven and earth ; 
who is holy, just, and good, and has given us a law that forbids 
us to sin against him— then proceeds to the fall of our first 
parents, and its consequences to their posterity; the nature 
and enormities of sin, and how God has manifested his 
displeasure against it. After amusing them with a few 
anecdotes, he points them to the Saviour, telis them of his 
love to sinners, and how he manifested it by means of his 

R 



242 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



sufferings and death ; speaks of his resurrection, and exalta- 
tion, and so forth. In conclusion, he entreats them to go to 
this blessed Jesus for the salvation of their precious souls; 
but never explains to them how, or by what means they are to 
obtain an interest in his work of redeeming grace ; which is a 
great defect in the sermon, and must tend much to perplex 
and confuse the minds of thinking children ! The remainder 
of the tract is made up of short narratives of good and bad 
children, with a few short prayers suited to infant minds. 

Mr. Hill also compiled " A Catechism for Children ; being 
a short and easy summary of the Christian dispensation, 
intended for the use of Sunday Schools." It is prefaced with 
an Address to the Teachers of Sunday Schools ; in which he 
says, " I am happy to avail myself of this opportunity ot 
expressing my thankfulness before God, for that disinterested 
zeal and devotedness of heart you have manifested in the 
education of the children of the poor of this district (Surrey 
Chapel). May his blessing abundantly rest upon you all, 
while you are extending the blessing of divine knowledge, by 
exertions so wisely calculated for the future good of thousands 
of the rising generation. It is not the design of these cateche- 
tical lectures, that they should be imposed as a tiresome task 
upon the memories of your little pupils ; but rather that they 
should be considered as intended to introduce such religious 
insti'uction, in a way of familiar conversation, so that import- 
ant truths of divine revelation may be rendered easy and 
plain to the capacities of the tender minds of those who are 
the objects of your care. For this purpose, I have thought it 
necessary to divide this little publication into several sections, 
so as to form a concise summary of Christian divinity, while I 
have endeavoured so to familiarize and apply each subject, as 
that the formality of a dry uninteresting system, may, as much 
as possible, be avoided. By this plan it will also be left 
optional how far each section may occasionally be committed 
to the memory of the children, as their kind instructors may 
at times direct. May the blessing of that dear Redeemer who 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



24S 



condescended to say, * Suffer little children to come to rae, 
and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven,' 
rest upon your hearts in all these labours of love !"" 

The Catechism is divided into nineteen Sections, and treats 
of God and his perfections; of man, and his fall; the depravity 
of human nature, and how manifested in children; tlie 
condemnation of sinners; the revelation of a Saviour; the 
Mission of Christ into the world ; his life, sufferings, and 
death; Resurrection and Ascension into glory; the Gift of 
the Holy Spirit ; his work in the conversion and salvation of 
sinners ; the two Covenants ; Baptism and the Lord's Supper ; 
Death and Judgment. With the exception of the Section that 
treats of the Covenants, and of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, 
(which contain some crude and unscriptural statements) this 
compendium of Christian doctrine is entitled to considerable 
praise, and affords ample proof of Mr. Hill's concern for the 
best interests of the rising generation. This indeed was with 
him a favourite object, and he clung to it with his latest 
breath; proof of which will be adduced hereafter. In the 
mean time, I shall close this Section with introducing two or 
three of his poetical pieces which have a relation to the 
instruction of youth, written shortly before his death. 

In the year 1832, Mr. Hill composed the following hymn, 
to be sung by the children of the Sunday school, after a 
sermon on Amos iv. 12, " Prepare to meet thy God:' 



What solemn warnings, day by day 
Attack this feeble house of clay ; 
Soon this earthly fabric must 
Sink into its native dust. 

'Tis a trutli which none deny, 
That all who live are born to die : 
Whether young, or whether old, 
Life's short tale will soon be told. 

Oh that all may seek to be 
Fitted for eternity ; 
Sweetly bless'd by grace divine ; 
'Till m glory they shall shine. 

R 2 



244 MEMOIRS OF THE 

Your old, kind, and constant friend, 
Fast approaching to his end; 
Humbly prays through Jesus' blood, 
" Be ye reconciled to God." 

Children, hear an old man's cry, 
To Christ's arms of mercy fly ; 
By whose sacrifice for sin, 
We alone such glories win. 

Let the monster death then come, 
Waft us to our heav'nly home ; 
There eternally to bless 
Christ for his all-conqu'ring grace. 

There shall we forget to sin. 
Drink immortal pleasures in ; 
Join with angel hosts above, 
Praising our Redeemer's love. 

The two following pieces were the last productions of their 
author in the poetical line, and written expressly for the 
anniversary meetings of the Sunday-school, on the Monday 
and Tuesday of Easter week, 1833. 

" / will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt 
go ; I will guide thee with mine eye." Ps. xxxii. 8. 

Behold, dear Lord, a sinful race 
Of children, come to seek thy face ; 
And early may we all begin 
To feel the grace that saves from sin. 

What saucy pride and angry strife, 
Attend us in our early life ; 
While our dear parents feel the smart. 
That cuts them to the very heart. 

And if, throughout the merry day, 
We sport in innocence and play ; 
E'en then at times we fret and rage, 
While none our anger can assauge. 

Thus onward into life we move. 
Yet worse and worse we daily prove s 
And to our comrades basely show 
The wretched road that leads to woe. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



245 



And sliall we still pursue the road 
That leads us far from thee, our God ? 
Forbid it, Lord, and grant the power 
That bids us go and sin no more. 

Thus may we in thine image grow, 
\Vhile travelling thro' this world below ; 
Till purified by grace divine. 
Made meet for glory, we shall shine. 



The Children s Prayer for their Teachers. 

Bless our teachers, dearest Lord, 
They instmct us in thy word ; 
How we may, renew'd by grace, 
Live to thee throughout our days. 

May they all most richly share 
Thy best blessings for their care; 
Freely on us here bestowed, 
Leading our lost souls to God. 

Give them, Lord, with joy to see. 
All our spirits yield to thee ; 
WHiile the fruits of righteousness 
Fill our hearts with love and peace. 

Happy then we all shall be, 
Here and in eternity^ 
Praising with the heavenly host, 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 



SECTION X. 

SOME PARTICULARS OF THE LAST FEW YEARS OF MR. HILL's 
LIFE — HIS DEATH, INTERMENT, ETC. ETC. 

Having despatched Mr. Hill's published pieces, I should 
now proceed to furnish the reader with some particulars of his 
last hours, and attempt a delineation of his character; but 
there is one topic in his history, as yet untouched, and of 
which it will be proper to take a little notice in this place, 
inasmuch as it tends to elucidate the character of this extra- 



246 



]V]EMOIRS OF THE 



ordinary man, display much of the complexion of his mind, 
and place him in a very favourable point of view. I refer to 
his olF-hand speeches or addresses delivered from time to time 
at the formation or annual return of the Bible, School, and 
Tract Societies, which have sprung up in such abundance 
during the last forty years — institutions most honourable to the 
age in which our lot is cast, and conferring a moral dignity on 
our country, of which Britons may well be proud. In origi- 
nating and carrying forward these numerous associations, 
which may be regarded as so many rivulets of benevolence 
and mercy in a world of sin and misery, Mr. Hill was second 
to none in his day. He aided them by his counsel, his influ- 
ence, his purse ; and were the speeches which he delivered on 
those interesting occasions all collected, they would form a 
small volume. T cannot undertake to give the whole of them, 
neither would it comport with the restricted limits of this 
memoir to do so, were it in my power ; but as a specimen I 
shall here subjoin a few that were delivered during the last 
half a dozen years of his busy life. 

On Monday, May 7th, 1827, Mr. Hill attended a meeting 
of the friends and supporters of the British and Foreio-n 
School Society, and being called upon to second a motion, he 
addressed the meeting as follows : — 

" He said that he had no difficulty in addressing this 
assembly, for, in fact, it delighted him to speak to a subject 
which comported so much as this did with the best feehngs of 
his heart. An education of this kind was the only one which 
it became the dignity of England to promote — it was universal 
in the application of its blessings — it lifted barbarism and 
Ignorance from being the victims of error and passion, and 
gave men the stamp of proper character. He entirely con- 
curred in the importance of mothers having the superinten- 
dence of the child's education ; for upon the rudiments being 
early instilled into the tender mind before bad principles 
could corrupt it, depended the ultimate moral character of the 
mind itself. The comprehensiveness of the principle of this 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



247 



society had been well said to be its greatest merit; for it 
embraced all classes without violating the tenderness of con- 
science. There were very worthy people of all sects, and 
why should they require a conformation of faith, while they 
were promoting a good that might be compromised by such a 
condition. Nothing but a small line of demarcation separated 
some religions — a little river separated the Presbyterian 
Church from the Church of England. ' At this side of the 
Tweed,' said the reverend gentleman, ' I am a Church of 
England man, at the other side I am a Presbyterian ; a little 
step across a stream of water makes the whole difference with 
me. See how liberally our gracious and benevolent sovereign 
acted in this respect. When his Majesty (George IV.) went 
to Scotland, he left the Church of England behind him, and 
spent his sabbath at the Presbyterian Church in Edinburgh 
(Loud applause.) This was wisely done ; it was done like a 
good, sensible, Christian sovereign ; for the Scotch are an 
honourable and useful part of the British nation ; and what is 
there to prevent us Episcopalians from shaking hands across 
the Tweed with these Presbyterians ; rely on it, it would be 
better not for one, but for both to act so. (Applause.) I do 
not want to squeeze any man's conscience ; I rather wish to 
see men respect each other's belief, and meet in the unity of 
that Christian love which ought to be common to all.' 
(Renewed applause.) This society, he proceeded to state, 
comprehended all in the great business of education founded 
upon the Book of God. As to the general question of educa- 
tion, it would be absurd, in the present day, to refute the 
silly, and, indeed, exploded charge of education tending to 
disloyalty. What disloyalty could be more dreadful than that 
of the barbarian acting under the uncontrolled tempest of his 
passions? But these rude and ungovernable impulses were 
restrained and corrected by the influence of education, and 
people would always be found to bless the government that 
educated and protected them. He had known the late Sir 
John Sylvester, who had so long filled the office of Recorder 



248 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



of the City of London; he remembered having once called 
upon him about a poor creature that was a culprit in prison 
for a criminal offence, and then asking him whether he had 
examined if, among the crowd of juvenile delinquents that 
had passed under his eye, the seeds of education had in any 
degree been sown. The Recorder's reply was, ' I am quite 
persuaded that the want of education is one of the great pre- 
disposing causes which fill our criminal calendar; for when 
youth once obtain education, I rarely find them become adepts 
m crime.' (Hear.) There was the most demonstrating proof 
that education led to good, and prevented evil. It was that 
which elevated the character of the human mind, and gave it 
a consciousness of its own innate worth and dignity. (Hear, 
hear.) This was observable in the country to which he had 
already referred. What could be more orderly than the 
conduct of the people of Scotland? What tendency to 
rebellion had they shown since education had gone forth 
amongst them? The more he looked at the subject, the 
more satisfied he was that the reign of education was the 
reign of order and happiness, and that to promote it was an 
injunction arising out of the essence of Christianity itself" 

The following speech was delivered at the Anniversary 
Meeting of the London Missionary Society, on Thursday, 
May 15th, 1828. 

The Rev. Rowland Hill, A.M. rose amidst great applause. 
He spoke to the following efiect : — We have several societies 
united m heart as one man to carry on this glorious cause. 
Allow me to mention the grounds of my particular regard to 
this society ; we are neither a Church Missionary Society, nor 
a Wesleyan Missionary Society, nor this, that, and the other, 
but we are a United Missionary Society. (Cheers.) We 
wish to draw all good people together into one and the same 
cause. What has hitherto been done, is but the dewdrops 
before the fertilizing showers are sent down from above. The 
Lord has begun to accomplish his gracious promise, " The 
knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



249 



cover the sea." It is not yet accomplished, but it shall be 
accomplished, or the Bible is false. I scarcely know of an 
objection that now rests against this cause. It is hardly 
worth while to attempt to refute the objections of a deistical 
mind. " Let every man embrace that system of religion 
which his conscience dictated ; for one religion would do as 
well as another." (Laughter.) Certainly one good religion 
would do quite as well as another. No one would ever object 
to that. But, i)ray, what religion was that which was suited 
to the heart ? Should we find it among the heathen ? Alas ! 
some of the most abominable rites had been performed by 
them under the notion of religion. The odious corruption of 
the corrupted heart of man, will scarcely suffer human beings 
to live among themselves. It is nothing but divine power 
from above that can make man a blessing to himself, and a 
blessing to those who surround him. Let the mind of Christ 
be imparted, let the power of the second Adam be communi- 
cated to all, and then we are all brethren and sisters one of 
another. There can be no harm in attempting to proselytise. 
I admire the kindness of those proselyters who attempt to lead 
me, though I don't choose to be led. (Laughter.) Why, 
there is the honest Quaker, he thinks it would be better for 
me if I were to adopt his principles. One of them brought 
me a book one day, and said it was almost as good as the 
Bible itself ; I read it, I thanked him for the present, I took 
him by the hand, and I wished to esteem him the more highly 
for his kindness. (Laughter.) Then there is the Roman 
Catholic, who tells me that his religion is the religion of the 
ancient Church, and that we are all apostates from it, and he 
is sadly afraid when we die we shall go to a place worse than 
purgatory. (Cheers and laughter.) Let me hear him, if I 
am not persuaded by him ; though if he attempted to persecute 
me, as some belonging to that Church would advise him 
(though I believe there are multitudes in communion with it 
who would act a different part), I would treat him in a 
diflerent way. If he would argue with me fairly, I, in return, 



250 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



with tlie feelings of Christianity in my heart, would do 
him all the good I could. What a sad idea is that of perse- 
cution. Perhaps the Lord has permitted us to fight in different 
regiments for the very reason that we may be more at peace 
among ourselves. I don't know, I think we are pretty much 
at peace; and I thank God for the peace that has been 
amongst us, and I hope will still prevail; but while these 
differences exist, good may result from them, and we may still 
be one in Christ. Thus we endeavour to observe, that the 
system of proselytism should be adopted by all honest men. I 
want to proselytise all the sons and daughters of iniquity, and 
make them become children of holiness ; and instead of being 
angry at a man that wants to make a proselyte of me, I thank 
him for it, and I try what I can do with him in return. 
(Laughter.) It would be very rude to be long, because there 
are many speakers to address you ; but I would observe, that 
while we are doing good abroad, we are doing an amazing 
deal of good among ourselves at home. We are uniting 
Christians, one with another, in a very lovely manner. We 
are taking away from the Roman Catholics one of their 
strongest arguments : they say, see how all these heretics are 
divided. Nay, nay ! See how they are united. We hear of 
many little differences, (and I could point out how many dis- 
sensions there have been in the Church of Rome, only it 
would be irrelevant) but we cannot do better than to love one 
another with a pure heart fervently, and thus carry on the 
glorious work. Another idea has occurred to my mind, and 
that is the present auspicious days in which we live. (Hear, 
hear.) The Government of our country ! O ! we delight in 
the wisdom and goodness of our Government. (Cheers.) It 
would be a difficult matter to tell, whether if the Church was 
on the right hand, and our dissenting brethren on the left, 
which would receive the utmost attention from the throne. 
The throne is evidently the protector of all. We know the 
liberal mind of our Sovereign, and we are highly honoured in 
having Lord Bexley before us, and we are not at all afraid of 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



25] 



having a Government spy amongst us, though I should be 
very glad if we had. (Immense laughter.) We have nothing 
to do with any politics but Gospel politics ; we have only to 
think how we can best promote peace on earth, and diffuse 
universal good will among mankind. These are our motives, 
and we trust that good has been done, and will be done, till we see 
the arrival of that glorious day, when that fine prayer of our 
blessed Lord should be divinely fulfilled : " Ask of me, and I 
will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the utter- 
most parts of the earth for thy possession." Verily it shall be 
done. Let it be remembered, that the dissemination of the 
pure principles of Christianity, is the method by which it is to 
be accomplished. It would be very wron^ indeed to carry 
Christianity at the point of a bloody sword ; for the glorious 
Gospel of the blessed God, is the power of God unto salva- 
tion in them that believe. Wherever it regenerates the heart, 
it corrects every vicious principle, and promotes all that is 
excellent and good. I would once farther say, "O God, pour 
down upon us, and upon this society the peculiar spirit that 
we need ! May the directors be chosen from among the 
choicest of God's people. May they be men of pure holy 
minds, for they are the only fit persons to examine young 
candidates for Missionary labours. O, what piety should 
dwell in them and all those who are about to connect them- 
selves with the Missionary Society." The rev. gentleman 
then urged the importance of a careful expenditure of the 
money, as the principal part of it came from the hard earnings 
of the working classes of the community, and concluded by 
observing, that many other things might be said, but he should 
be very rude indeed if he spoke more, especially as there 
were so many more gentlemen around them who were anxious 
to address the meeting. Having moved the resolution, he sat 
down amidst loud cheers. 

The following speech, delivered immediately after Mr. Hill's, 
contains so many good things on the subject of Missions, 
and, coming as it did from a Tory statesman, it merits to be 



252 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



recorded in this place, as a monument of the growing liber- 
ality of the age. 

Lord Bexley rose with great pleasure to second the motion of his 
reverend and venerable friend who had just sat down. He desired to 
return his thanks for the kind manner in which he had spoken of him, 
for the sentiments he had uttered, and for the sentiments contained in 
the resolution, which so entirely coincided with his own ; it was there- 
fore with great pleasure he supported the motion. He ought, indeed, 
to apologise for appearing again in a public assembly, after so recently- 
addressing several others. But he would rather be guilty of a breach 
of propriety, than appear to neglect the honourable directors who 
requested him to attend the meeting. He rejoiced in the prosperity 
and success of a society to which, under Divine Providence, this country 
and the world at large were mainly indebted for the revival of the 
missionary spirit. He entertained no wish to undervalue the exertions 
of his Moravian brethren, or the exertions of the society for promoting 
Christian knowledge, which to a certain degree, had supported the cause 
of India ; but all who rejoiced in a Missionary spirit had cause to hail 
with gratitude the foraiation of this society. (Cheers.) To this society 
we were mainly indebted for dispelling incorrect notions concerning the 
object of Missions, and he trusted, that the Providence of God, which 
called it into action, and induced its supporters to endeavour to promote 
the cause of God, by the ordinary means in which Providence works in 
secular affairs, would bless it to a still greater degree. Already it was 
extended to the right hand and to the left, to the north and to the south, 
to the east and to the west. The society which he had now the honour 
to address^ was supported by many similar institutions in this country. 
They were all supporting the same cause, and enlisting under the same 
banners. We perceived a corresponding spirit extending itself beyond 
the Atlantic. The United States of America had taken up the cause 
with a degree of spirit and energy, which required a double exertion on 
the part of Britain, or she would soon be left behind. (Cheers.) We 
perceived the continent of Europe indicating a disposition to support the 
same cause, and a concurrence in all who named the name of Christ, to 
carry the blessing of the Gospel to those who had not yet bowed the 
knee before the Redeemer's footstool. He must allude to the particular 
pleasure he felt at that part of the Report, in which mention was made 
of the success of the society's operations in the southern part of India. 
He had heard from very respectable authority, he had heard in Parlia- 
ment, on the testimony of very respectable men, that any attempt to 
convert the nations of India was hopeless. But let them read what 
Bishop Heber had said on the subject, and then say whether they should 
not attempt, by all legitimate means, to carry to them the blessings of 
Christianity ? God forbid that they should not attempt, by every proper 
and consistent mode, to introduce the blessings of salvation among 
them. He was not aware w^hether the Report made any particular 
allusion to the Missions in the South Sea Islands, but he must say, that 
the success of this society in the South Seas was among the most 
wonderful, providential interferences which had taken place subsequent 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



253 



to the days of the apostles. ''Cheers.) He hardly thought that since 
the period to which he alludea, there had been a similar instance of the 
difiiision of divine light over a whole nation. When we saw whole 
nations renouncing idolatry, and allowing their idols either to be thrown 
into the sea or sent over to this country, we must of necessity recognise 
the hand of Divine Providence. He was inclined to hope the period 
was near at hand, when the great work, so signally begun, would be 
carried to the remotest regions of the earth. Then to the name of 
Jesus every knee would bow, and every tongue confess that he was 
God, to the gloiy of God the Father. (Loud cheers.) 

The following address was delivered at an anniversary 
meeting of the friends and promoters of the Surrey Auxiliary 
Hibernian Society, Dec. 4th, 1828. 

The Chairman observed, that this Auxiliary was formed to 
assist a society which had effected inexpressible and incom- 
parable good, the extent of which could only be known by 
omniscience. He was one of the first promoters of the Parent 
Institution. After various methods had been suggested for 
carrying its objects into effect, it was determined that some of 
the friends should visit Ireland, and inquire into its state ; the 
result of which was, that a chapel was taken in Cork, and a 
minister placed in it, as were also others in different parts of 
the country. At the end of three years, however, no visible 
effect had resulted from their labours, but the Most High 
knowing his own designs, put it into the minds of some of the 
intelligent Irish to raise schools. The plan was suggested to 
the committee, who immediately signified their approval. At 
the end of the first year the schools contained 400 children, 
and at the end of ten years, 46,000. Many circumstances 
had transpired during that period to prove that God was 
smiling upon their labours. The period at which we lived 
should excite the liveliest emotions of o-ratitude in the breast 
of every Christian, for it was evident that the end of time was 
at hand; but previous to its arrival, "the knowledge of the 
Lord shall cover the earth as the waters covered the sea," and 
all the societies which were now formed were unquestionably 
engaged in diffusing that knowledge. (Applause.) 
The Secretary having read the Report, 



254 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



The Rev. T. Webster, in moving the first resolution, 
stated, at considerable length, the operations of the Parent 
Society in Ireland. By means of the Institution, 300,000 
persons liad been taught to read the Scriptures. Through the 
liberality of the British and Foreign Bible Society, 200,000 
copies of the Scriptures had been circulated. Fifty or sixty 
persons were now employed in reading the Scriptures ; wherever 
a few persons were assembled together, the readers made 
known to them the tidings of salvation, that they might thereby 
be comforted amidst their afflictions, soothed amidst their 
woes, and be prepared to meet the last enemy with composure. 
The operations of the society were likely to extend all over 
Ireland. Since the last annual report had been made up, 70 
new schools had been opened, and applications continued to 
be made for a still greater increase, but the society being 
£500 in debt, it was impossible to comply with the request. 

The Rev. R. Hill said, this society went to work in a very 
legitimate manner; it merely laid before the people that 
sacred volume which was the guide to eternal joy. England 
and Ireland were once called sister kingdoms, they were now 
still more united, but not so closely as they would be when 
both countries entertained the same view respecting that 
invaluable book, the Bible. It was not his wish to say any- 
thing to gall the minds of Roman Catholics, but he thought it 
was very true that the priests did not allow the common people 
to read the word of God. He thanked God that we lived in 
a period of liberty, that we might read what we liked, that the 
law only punished those who printed what ought not to be 
read. When the reformers first entered upon their work at 
the Reformation (for so he conceived it to be, though he had 
no wish to speak against his Roman Catholic brethren) what 
was the design that they had in view 1 To teach the people to 
read the Scriptures ; to translate the Bible into the vernacular 
tongue ; and then, most wisely, to place a large Bible, to be 
kept perpetually open in the Church, tlmt whenever the people 
had leisure they might repair there, and either read it or hear 



REV. ROWLAND HILL 



255 



it read to tliem. B}^ tliese mearis popery was read out of the 
kingdom, the people renounced a religion of ignorance, sought 
the pure Word of God, and thirsted for the divine truths it 
contained. Unhappily, the Irish people were now in the 
same predicament that England was previous to the Eeforma- 
tion; they were unable to read, and the consequence was, 
ignorance still abounded. He trusted, however, that the time 
would soon arrive when that ignorance would be dispelled by 
teaching the youth to read the Word of God. This plan had 
already been adopted to a blessed extent ; let it be followed 
up, and by and bye there would be a universal change in that 
country. Only let the Bible be read, and much good must 
inevitably result from it. Education was now almost universal, 
and it was the parents' own fault if their children were not taught 
to read. He rejoiced that there were not only institutions 
for instructing the ignorant, but that the Bible Society, as soon 
as the people were taught to read, were ready to put the Holy 
Scriptures into their hands. If the people, therefore, remained 
ignorant now, it must be from their own choice, and would 
awfully prove that they " loved darkness rather than light, 
because their deeds were evil." There was no forcing people 
to be religious ; it was most absurd to think of making a man 
religious by means of a cudgel. (Applause.) It must be 
done by persuasion ; it was, therefore, the duty of ministers to 
instruct all around them, out of the pure sources of know- 
ledge which were before them. Nothing was so important as 
the mstruction of the mind ; every person must be aware of 
the impossibility of doing an action unless there was a mind 
to prompt the performance of it. In all actions there must be 
something mentally within, before there would be any external 
manifestation of it. The grand way of inducing a person to 
act with propriety, was to make them think well ; and to 
accomplish this object, the sacred volume should be placed in 
their hands. He so much approved of education, that he 
conceived it the highest honour to use all and every oppor- 
tunity of driving ignorance out of it. Only look at those 



256 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



countries where people were left to follow the sad corruptions 
of human nature ; where they possessed no other guide but 
their own internal passions ; where the lust of the e^ e, the 
pride of the flesh, and a thousand other evils were perpetually 
working the commission of evil ; and contrast it with those 
countries where there was an extensive circulation of the Word 
of God, which was able through faith to make men wise unto 
salvation ; and observe the wonderful difference which they 
presented to the mind. He would therefore advise the 
meeting to do all they possibly could to promote education, 
but at the same time, if it was not religious education, he 
questioned whether it would not do quite as much harm as 
good ? Alas ! alas ! what melancholy scenes were presented 
in some of the public schools. How many instances had there 
been, where youths as they grew up in years, grew up in 
wickedness also ! It was, therefore, of the highest importance 
in educating youth, to impress upon their minds a knowledge 
of God, and point them to the sinner's only hope, as revealed 
in the Bible. Christians in this country ought to thank God 
that the Bible was placed before them in their native tongue, 
and was as correctly translated as if it were the genuine word 
of God itself. Oh, it was melancholy to think how the Douay 
copy of the Scriptures had been perverted by the Catholics; 
that beautiful passage, " Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven 
is at hand," had been rendered by them, "Do penance, for 
the kino-dom, &c." Those who thus translated it must know 
that they were doing wrong, and that they were giving a turn 
to a passa^ge which plainly taught that sin ought to be hated, 
and that it was the duty of every man to flee from its commis- 
sion. He begged to second the resolution. (Applause.) 

On Tuesday, May 5th, 1829, Mr. Hill attended the Anni- 
versary Meeting of the Religious Tract Society, on which 
occasion he thus delivered his sentiments : — 

" He said, that if, at that time of the meeting he were to 
make a long speech it would certainly be a moving speech, 
because he supposed the meeting thought it was high time to 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



257 



move out of the room. He could not impart that information to 
the assembly that some other speakers were able to do, but 
It became him to say something by way of supporting the 
Society. What was it that had given such a peculiar zeal or 
power, or influence, to the Society? Why, the candour and 
catholicity that characterised it; and the union which it 
attempted to promote among the good people of all denomina- 
tions. The word Catholic was frequently made use of. He 
meant no offence to those who called themselves, or were 
called Roman Catholics, when he stated his desire to give to 
this Society a new appellation, and to call it ' The Christian 
Catholic Society.' It was not very Catholic in Roman Catholic 
friends to deny that Protestants were Christians as well as 
themselves, while Protestants believed that some of that 
denomination were truly pious, and fr-equently quoted the 
names of Fenelon and Thomas-a-Kempis as being ail that 
Protestants could wish to see men. But Protestants deserved 
the name of Catholics. They were all of one heart and one 
mind. The Catholics charged the Protestants with being a 
disunited people. That was a mistake. It was true there 
were little variations among different denominations of Chris» 
tians, but they were ail united in heart, in love, and in affection, 
to the grand truths of the Gospel; and, by the blessing of 
God, they would so continue until they had pulled down 
infidelity, and all its abominations. Now he did not know 
whether he might be saying too much ; if he did he hoped he 
should be forgiven. A sermon was preached in his chapel by 
that famous minister of Jesus Christ, the Rev. Dr. Chalmers. 
Oh! he (Mr. H.) often thought, during its delivery, that he 
should have liked to go up to the pulpit and give him a 
warm pat on the back for the excellency of his sermon. 
(Laughter.) And he (Mr. H.) thought what a pity it was 
that that man could not sound the same glorious gospel 
trumpet in Saint Paul's. He verily thought it would neither 
make thuii^der nor storm in the world; and he sincerely hoped 
' at the time would come when tliere would be more of that 



258 MEMOIRS OF THE 

good feeling among all good people than ever. There had 
lately been a great commotion about the Catholics, and there 
had been some ill blood upon the subject; but he hoped that 
it would subside for ever. The Roman Catholics, would find 
that Protestants had dropped their enmity against them, let 
the Catholic drop his enmity againt the Protestant, and let 
each party draw nearer to one another, making the Bible the 
centre of their union. He was sure it was impossible to 
correct a man's errors by persecution; a man's errors could 
never be beat out of his head by a cudgel. The faith of 
Christ should always be contended for in a Christian spirit, 
and Christians should attempt to win over those that they 
conceived were in error, by showing what a mild spirit the 
religion of the Bible inspired in the heart. The good that 
had already been accomplished in the world extended to this 
Society; and he (Mr. H.) thought he beheld the dawning of 
that day when the 'knowledge of the Lord should cover the 
earth as the waters covered the sea.' The Rev. Gentleman 
then requested the Secretary to read the resolution, and, alter 
making a few remarks upon the holy tendency of the gospel, 
concluded by naming a resolution congratulating them upon the 
introduction of the gospel into China, and recommending 
increased exertions on behalf of the Society." 

On the nth of the same month. May, 1829, Mr. Hill again 
attended the Anniversary Meeting of the British and Foreign 
School Society, and spoke at greater length on the merits of 
the Institution, than he had done two years before. But m 
perusing this second speech, the reader will find in it a proof 
of the justness of a common observation, that, through a failure 
of the powers of memory and recollection, old people are apt 
to relate the same story or anecdote over and over again The 
interview with Sir John Silvester, the Recorder of London is 
to be found in the Speech which Mr. Hill deH^^'^d b^ oj"^ the 
friends of the same Society, in 1827. See pages 247-248 ante 
« The Rev. Rowland Hill addressed the Meetmg. He said 
it might appear strange for him to ask at that late period, how 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 259 

they came there that day ? They would naturally answer, that 
their legs had brought them ; but what put the legs in motion ? 
The mind had som.ething to do in the matter. So it was that 
the mind constituted the whole man ; for just as the mind 
decorated the character, so did an individual deserve the name 
of a man. The first great object was to let people know that 
they had minds, for many were ignorant of that fact (a laugh) ; 
and the next was to improve the mind, with the existence of 
which they had become acquainted. Evil-minded men always 
acted badly ; and good-minded men were found to act with 
wisdom, because their minds directed them into the paths of 
virtue and knowledge. In that alone was the utility of educa- 
tion. A man sunk into barbarism was only one remove above 
the brutes, unless his mind was raised above a state of igno- 
rance, which could only be done by illuminating the under- 
standing, and, if he might be permitted to speak in his own 
way, that could only be effected by the grace of God. He 
thanked God for good governors ; but even these were not 
wanted, provided the mind itself was well governed. A man 
who possessed a virtuous mind did not require any person to 
govern him. But it was impossible to know what the mind 
was until it was brought forward. A good mind might be 
found in a peasant, and a bad one in an individual who 
belonged to the highest rank of nobility. Therefore it was 
that he expressed the highest approbation of a society, the 
object of which was to educate the people, and to make men 
wiser, and more virtuous. It had been well observed, that 
mere education did nothing; and hence, unless education was 
founded on proper principles, little benefit could arise from it. 
In a conversation he once had with the late Sir John Sylvester, 
he asked him if the principal offenders, who degraded our 
courts of justice, had received any education ? Sir John said 
that, among the number of those who came before him, he had 
never met with one who had been piously educated, or taught 
to read his Bible, and to worship his Maker. (Applaus^'e ) 
He (Mr. Hill,) wished to see every person educated, whatever 

s 2 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



his situation in life might be. He would even msh to be served 
by a man of intelligence (a laugh); for if his eyes should 
fail him, the servant might read to him, and amuse h.s 
leisure hours. Servants would also come to know that he 
loved their inteUigence; and they would love h™ for do-ng 
so- and thus they would love one another. (Applause He 
did not know that fine minds were to be found m cottages ; 
but he did know that those who had tine mmds would have^ 
Lm illuminated under the benign and kindly influence f 
his society. He had frequently admired the prayer mserted m 
he fly-leaf of the Bible put forth by the Society for promotmg 
Christian knowledge: 'Blessed Lord, who hath caused al 
Holy Scripture to be written for our learnmg grant ha^ we 
ma/in sui wise read, mark, learn, and inwa.^ly d.gest thern^ 
Thus we are first to mark them; next to 'e-n; -d then 
inwardly to digest them (which is the best word of all) , and 
we use our minds in learning and inwardly ^'g-J-S - 
should be able to read and understand the B.ble-that book 
which it is of the utmost importance that every human bemg 
should be made acquainted with. The improvement ot the 
LLd was of the fi.t:importance; it softened the manners, 
Tubdued the passions, and made men feel like immortal bemgs 
What availed fine looks, or sounding titles, if the mmd were 
wanting 1 Deprived of it, a man was not much better than a 
Newfoundland dog (laughter); and in fact not so good 
because he was not so easily governed. He had now a.-r.v d 
at a ripe old age ; and his eyes had begun to fad hnn; so that 
ty did not fet'much light into his mind^ But h. tongue 
anihis ears still served him, through wh>ch k-wl^-; » J 
still be conveyed to his understanding; and as long as they 
retained their powers, they would be devoted to the service o 
his heavenly Father. He entreated all who heard h,m to 
knowledge into the minds of children. He blessed God Aat 
the system of education had been changed; and that they 
n,ighi now expect to see better fruits springing up from the 
new soil on which the tender shoots were reared. He allowed 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



261 



tbat the question might be put to him, ' had tliere not been 
much soreness and ill blood on the subject of Catholic emanci- 
pation V That such had been the case, he freely admitted^ 
and the more was the pity. Some looked at popery on the 
black side, callingr to mind when fire and faog^ots were burning' 
in Smithfield; but the times were gone by for spreading 
religion by faggot or cudgel; for surely people could not 
keep in the right path by incarcerating and excommuni- 
cating one another, or by imposing heavy penances upon 
transgressors. ' Give us, then, (continued Mr. Hill,) all good 
minds; let us now have no weapons but those of kindness and 
love. I am glad that I took no part in the Catholic question ; 
I thought it my duty to stand aloof from it altogether ; and 
to leave it in the hands of those who knew better how to deal 
with it than I could pretend to do. I trust all men will now 
range themselves on the side of truth, and refuse to listen to 
error ; for I am well convinced that, whatever delusions may 
prevail among the people, they will soon be dissipated in 
these great and enlightened days.' (Applause.) Mr. Hill 
then moved the Resolution of thanks to His Royal Highness, 
the Duke of Sussex, for his long-continued patronage of the 
Society. 

We cannot wonder that the British and Foreign Bible 
Society, should obtain the countenance of Mr. Hill, and be at 
all times the object of his veneration and devout regard. 
From its very origin he was one of its ablest patrons ; a 
Member of its Committees ; and he laboured by every possible 
means to promote its interest. He had often before taken 
part in its Anniversary Meetings; but the following short 
address, delivered by him, on Wednesday May 5th, 1830, 
may suffice to show how he stood affected towards it. The 
prelates referred to were the bishops of Chester and Winchester. 

" The Rev. Rowland Hill rose to move the next resolution, 
and was received with loud cheers. He had to move the 
thanks of the Meeting to the Right Rev., the Rev., and others, 
the Vice-presidents of the Society^for their support during the 



262 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



past year. He said he felt much embarrassed at being called 
upon to bear his testimony to the services which had been 
performed by those highly respectable individuals who were 
included in the present vote ; for his feelings were so strong in 
every thing which related to this solemn Institution, that he 
could scarcely give them expression. What could be more 
solemn than spreading the Book of God all over the world? 
He congratulated the meeting on the presence of the two 
Right Rev. Prelates who presided over so large a portion of 
the religious community of this country — of that Protestant 
church, whose liturgy he might call a beautiful Bible liturgy^ 
for it was filled with extracts from that Divine Book. Those 
prelates had done them the favour — should he say so? — of being 
present, no — rather, he would say, they had done themselves 
the favour, for he would venture to assert, that since they had 
been called to preside in the church, no act of theirs could be 
more becoming the mitre they wore, than that of assisting at a 
Meeting which had for its object the circulation of the Bible. 
(Applause.) He had once heard of a clergyman who had 
apologised for having attended at a Bible Meeting. Apologise 
for attending at a Bible Meeting ! Why, he ought then to apolo- 
gise for reading his Liturgy, for that was full of the Bible ; he 
ought to apologise for reading the Psalms, which were read at 
least four times in a month ; he ought to apologise for reading 
the Lessons, and then for reading the Epistles, and then for 
reading the Gospels ; in fact, if he discharged his duty as a 
clergyman, he would have had a great number of apologies to 
make, for a great part of his duty consisted in reading the 
Bible. (Applause.) The Right Rev. Prelates to whom he 
alluded, would have to make no apology for attending here 
to-day. It was a delightful part of their duty, as it was an 
important and useful part. When he looked at those Right 
Rev. Prelates, he could not but feel increased regret at the 
illness of their beloved Sovereign, who had appointed such 
Bishops. (Cheers.) Long might he live to appoint many 
such (increased applause) : and long might those Right Rev 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



263 



Prelates live, to lay their hands on the heads of others, equally 
distinguished by their attachment to their Bible and their God. 
The rev. gentleman then proceeded to comment in very 
forcible language upon that brotherly union among Christians, 
which had been brought about by the dissemination of the 
Bible, and added, that he was not able to dwell upon the 
subject in the manner which it required; he [was an old man, 
now nearly eighty-six, and on this occasion, probably the last 
on which he should ever have to address them, he would beg 
to impress upon those who heard him, the honour, and the 
happiness of promoting the circulation of the Bible. To the 
hour of his death, he should rejoice at having been made, in 
any way, instrumental in promoting that great cause, 
(Applause.) He concluded by repeating, and commenting 
upon a prayer which was most appropriately placed in the 
fly-leaf of a book circulated by the Society for Promoting 
Christian Knowledge : — ' Blessed Lord, who hast caused all 
Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning.' " &c. 

The following speech was delivered to the friends of the 
London Missionary Society, at their Anniversary Meeting, 
M ay 13th, 1830, and the reader will again recognize the traces 
of a failing memory in the mention of Dr. Chalmers and his 
preaching in St. Paul's cathedral, previously given at the 
Meeting of the Tract Society 

" The Rev. R. Hill. — Thanks to our respected Chairman 
for the wise and proper hint he has given about short speeches. 
Mine shall be a very short one, and it shall not be a quarrel- 
some one. (Laughter.) My dear and much beloved brother, 
Mr. Hatchard, has given his highest approbation to the 
attempts made by this Institution to send the Gospel all the 
world over ; but he will allow me to correct one mistake into 
which he fell. I never will consent to the idea of the London 
Missionary Society being directly or positively a Dissenting 
Missionary Society. I was always led to conclude that it was 
simply a Missionary Society. If we could get a hundred men 
to go forth, we should be happy to send them ; but we leave 



264 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



them to adopt what mode of worship tKey like best, an J 
whatever species of church discipline they please. All we 
require of them is, that they be well-grounded in the truths of 
the Gospel, feel its power upon their own hearts, and propagate 
its principles among the heathen to whom they are sent. We 
live in auspicious days, but I hope we shall by and bye see 
(what I have on former occasions expressed a hope of witness- 
ing) those high walls which are partially thrown down, still 
more abundantly levelled, and all the partitions so entirely 
removed, as that we may shake hands with each other all the 
world over. (Laughter, and applause.) I really do not think 
that if that great and excellent man, Dr. Chalmers, who is now 
in town on public business, were to be invited to preach in 
St. Paul's Cathedral, thiit it would cre?cte a thunder-storm or an 
earthqupJce. (LpvUghter.) I pray that the time may speedily 
come when, without compromising our particular sentiments, we 
shall exhibit that Christian spirit which is now so rapidly 
extending itself in some parts of Germany, where Lutherans 
and Calvinists can give to each other the right hand of fellow- 
ship. The dress of a person is not the person himself; and 
what signifies the outward form of religion, provided there is 
its inward power acting on the heart ? I remember once being 
engaged in conversation with a man, and I enquired of him 
whether there were any good people in the town in which he 
lived; to which he replied in his way, (and, O! it was a narrow 
spirit,) ' We., were all Dissenters born.' I said to him, ' Do 
not tell me about Dissenters born, but Dissenters born again.' 
(Laughter.) These are the people we want ; we want to see 
true Christians united together as one man, and then we shall 
have 'a long pull, a strong pull, and a puli altogether.' 
(Cheers.) These are sentiments that I have always upheld, 
and I will say one thing farther, though my speech shall and 
will be very short ; that if ever this London Missionary Society 
becomes a mere Sectarian Society of any denomination, Surrey 
Chapel doors shall be shut against it. (Cheers.) Never will 
I have any thing to do with an^^ society that does not breathe 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



265 



universal good-will to all mankind. Our business is to 
remember that God hath made of one flesh all men that dwell 
upon the face of the earth, and we never can be too loving and 
affectionate among each other. There are essential truths by 
which we must abide ; but if you saw a good Churchman and 
a good Dissenter upon their knees, you would not be able to 
find out which was which. If you would close your eyes 
against something that you saw in the place, and not close 
your ears against the prayers that were offered up, you would 
not be able to tell whether it was a Churchman or a Dissenter 
that was engaged in that solemn duty. I hope that if you 
visited the house of good people, to whatever denomination 
they might belong, that you would find them living under 
those sacred principles that would enable them to 'deny 
ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously^ 
and godly, in this present evil world.' But I am determined 
that my speech shall be a short one, and so good bye to you 
all. Mr. Hill then retired from the platform amid long- 
continued applause." 

In the year 1831, though he had now nearly attained an 
entrance upon his eighty-eighth year, Mr. Hill was able to 
attend the Anniversary Meeting of the British and Foreign 
Bible Society, which took place at Exeter Hall, on Wednes- 
day, May 4tb, on which occasion, the proceedings, in some 
respects, were the source of great distress to him. The report 
having been read by Mr. Brandram, one of their ' secretaries, 
Dr. Dealtry rose to move, as usual, that it be received and 
printed, which v/as seconded by Dr. Bennet. Lieut. Gordon 
next commenced an address, the object of which was to intro- 
duce alterations that were calculated to subvert the fundamental 
principles of the Society. The drift of his observations was to 
show that the Bible Society was a Christian Institution ; but 
that Arians and Socinians were not Christians, and conse- 
quently ought to have nothing to do with the management of 
the Society, from which they should be excluded. His proposi- 
tions, however, were so far from being approved by the 



MEMOIRS OF THE 

assembly at large, that innumerable voices were lifted up 
against him, and the utmost confusion prevailed. The gallant 
officer was repeatedly called to order, but nothing could 
prevent him from persevering, and he was ultimately compelled 
to desist by the clamour which his indiscretion had raised; 
though not till he had succeeded in proposing an amendment. 
Tlie Rev. Lundy Foot then rose, and proposed another amend- 
ment, suD'^estinff that Socinians might be members of the 
Society, but should be excluded from Committees, and all 
official and honorary posts. After a prolonged discussion, 
amid a tumult vociferous beyond description, the two amend- 
ments were put to the vote, and negatived by an overwhelming 
majority. It was amidst this tempestuous and stormy debate 
that Mr. Hill rose to rebuke the fomenters of discord, which 
lie did with powerful effect, his age and venerable looks 
adding dignity to all he uttered. 

Addressing himself to the President, he said, that "for his 
own part he could wish that all the Roman Catholics and all 
the Socinians in the country belonged to the Bible Society; 
because he was sure they would find enough in that sacred 
volume to convince them of the erroneous sentiments which 
they respectively held. He did not care for his own part, who 
it was that presented him with a Bible : the only question with 
him was. What hind of a Bible it was that they gave. He 
believed that the number of those who held Socinian senti- 
ments was but insignificant ; and he was very sure, that from 
that Book they might learn that Christ was ' the Image of the 
invisible God, the brightness of the Father's glory, and the 
express image of his person,' and that all the angels of God 
were commanded to worship him. The more Bibles were 
given to such persons, the fewer there would be of them. 
With these ideas he would advise them to break up the 
meeting, and all of them go home, as he should presently do, 
and there let them remain until they could learn to be 
peaceable, and deliver their sentiments quietly— he was going 
to say, like gentlemen; and as, m their present temper they 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 267 

could not do so, he himself should take French leave and 
redre!" 

These few remarks came from his lips with almost the force 
of prophetic authority; the strong, good sense couched in 
them, made its way to the hearts of his auditory; the furious 
zealots felt the keen, yet mild reproof, and stood abashed at 
their own folly and indiscretion. A momentary schism, 
however, took place in the Society, and an attempt was actually 
made to set on foot what was called a strictly "Trinitarian 
Bible Society ;" but it proved abortive. Among the seceders 
for the moment, were the Hon. and Rev. Gerard Noel and his 
brother. Baptist Noel; but on the return of the Anniversary, 
May, 1832, they both resumed their connection with the 
parent Society, acknowledging their error, and nobly apolo- 
gizmg for it. Harmony was now restored, and the meeting 
fully compensated for the discord that had formerly distressed 
its friends. 

Mr. Hill attended the meeting of the Book Society for 
Promoting Religious Knowledge among the Poor, the 81st 
Anniversary of which was held in Exeter Hall, on Friday, 
May 6th, 1831, two days after the tumultuous doings above 
referred to, and presided on the occasion ; but it seems to 
have been the last public meeting of the kind which he was 
able to attend. Immediately after, he took an affecting leave 
of his congregation at Surrey Chapel, from whom he parted 
under the strong impression that, as he was going into 
Gloucestershire, he should see them upon earth no more — and 
" more deep and unaffected sorrow," says one, " could not be 
evinced." His divine Master, however^ spared him, and 
permitted him to return to town, at the end of the year, with a 
somewhat renovated constitution ; but though he was able to 
preach generally once a Sabbath, during the winter of 1831-2, 
he does not appear to have been strong enough to attend any 
of the Anniversary meetings in May 1832. An expectation 
generally prevailed, that he would again take the chair at the 
Annual Meeting of the Book Society which was held at Exeter 



20g MEMOIRS OF THE 

Hall, May 8tb, and much interest was excited thereby; 
but 'age, indisposition, and bodily infirmities, prevented his 
attendance, to the no small regret and disappointment of many 
present, who had frequently been cheered with the sallies of 
his wit, instructed by his wisdom, and animated by his piety. 
At the conclusion of the meeting, a vote of gratitude to Mr. 
Hill was proposed and carried, for the services he had rendered 
the Society during the sixty years he had been a member of it. 

Much of Mr. Hill's personal history, during the last twelve 
or fifteen months of his life, may be gathered from a perusal 
of the Sermons, &c. which accompany tliis Memoir ; but it is an 
affecting history. It cannot be said of him as is recorded of 
the Hebrew lawgiver, that '^his eye was not dim, nor his 
natural force abated." His state more resembled that which is 
pourtrayed by the Preacher, in Eccles. xii. He arrived at the 
day " when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the 
strono- men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease 
because they are few, and those that look out of the windows 
be darkened, and the doors shall be shut in the streets, when 
the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the 
voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be 
brought low: also when they shall be afraid of that which is 
hio-h, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond-tree shall 
flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire 
shall fail; because man goeth to his long home, and the 
mourners go about the streets." 

" Of all the periods and events of life," says a sensible 
modern writer, "the concluding scene is the one of deepest 
interest to the person himself, and to surviving spectators. 
Various are the ways in which it comes, and various the 
aspects it presents; but in all it is solemn. What, indeed, 
can be more so, than the approach of that moment, which, to 
the dying man, is the boundary betwixt time and eternity! 
which concludes the one, and commences the other; which 
terminates all his interests in this world, and fixes his condition 
lor a never-endin- existence in the world unknown! What 



REV. ROWLAND HILL, 



269 



ean be more so, than those moments of silent and indescribable 
anxiety when the last sands of the numbered hour are running: 
when the beat of the heart has becom'e too languid to be felt 
at the extremities of the frame; when the cold hand returns 
not the gentle pressure ; when the restless limbs lie still and 
motionless ; when the eye is fixed, and the ear turns no more 
towards the voice of consoling kindness ; when the breathy 
before oppressive and laborious, becomes feebler and feebler, 
till it dies slowly away — and to the listening ear there is no 
sound amidst the breathless silence ; nor to the arrested eye, 
that watches with the unmoving look of thrilling solicitude for 
the last symptom of remaining life, is motion longer suscepti- 
ble; when surrounding friends continue to speak in whispers, 
and to step through the chamber on the tip-toe of cautious 
quietness, as if still fearful of disturbing him whom the noise 
of a thousand thunders could not now startle, who has fallen 
on that last sleep, from which nothing shall rouse him, but 
' the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God.' " 

When Mr. Hill began to find his physical strength would 
no longer enable him to discharge the stated functions of his 
office at Surrey Chapel, he engaged the Rev. George Weight, 
as an assistant minister, and to that gentleman we are indebted 
for the following account of Mr. Hill's sickness and death. 

During the whole of the winter of 1832, Mr. Hill had been 
accustomed to take the service at Surrey Chapel, on Sunday 
morning, and also to meet the communicants on Monday 
evening. He generally preached forty minutes ; and his 
quotations from the Scripture were almost always remarkably 
correct and appropriate. As his e3^e-sight had nearly failed, 
his texts were written for him, in a lar^e hand, on a sheet of 
fools-cap paper; and even then, he sometimes required 
assistance in the pulpit in reading them. He frequently 
complained of the failure of his memory ; but it was not when 
preaching that this defect was apparent. 

He delivered his last Sermon, on Lord's -day, March 31st, 
1833, from 1 Cor. ii. 7, " We speak the wisdom of God in a 



270 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



luysterj, &c." a correct report of which will be found in the 
subsequent pages — the delivery occupied about fifty minutes. 
As he took peculiar interest in Sabbath schools, he had 
engaged to address the teachers of the Southwark Sunday 
School Union, on the following Tuesday evening; but his 
increasing weakness prevented him from speaking that night 
for more than ten minutes. There was a fervency in his 
address which was uncommon, even to him. This little effort 
greatly exhausted him, and he never entered the chapel 
afterwards. 

On the morning of Good Friday (April 5th) he complained 
of unusual lassitude, but would not consent to Mr. Weight 
assisting him in the morning service, in which he wished to 
engage. About ten o'clock, however, his weakness had so 
much increased, that he felt it necessary to decline going into 
the chapel. He intended to have discoursed from Heb. x. 4, 
" By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are 
sanctified." 

He requested Mr. W. to apologise for him to the congrega- 
lion, saying, " I cannot now do the things that I would : I 
hope I am not a lazy minister, though I am compelled to be 
an inactive one." On the evening of that day, he exhibited a 
temporary aberration of mind, but it was of short continuance. 

During the following day (Saturday) he again indulged the 
wish of preaching on Easter Sunday ; and if he had been able 
to do so, his subject would have been the resurrection of 
Christ, from 1 Pet. i. 3, " Blessed be the God and Father of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy 
hath begotten us again to a lively hope, by the resurrection of 
Jesus Christ from the dead." It was the usual custom for the 
children of various Sabbath schools to assemble at Surrey 
Chapel on the Monday and Tuesday of Easter week, and 
these days were always anticipated by Mr. Hill with peculiar 
pleasure. On the present occasion he was totally unable to 
exert himself as he was wont to do, and was obliged to content 
himself with sittins^ at the window of his drawing-room, and 



REV. ROWLAND HILL, 



271 



beholding the clilltlren as they thronged the chapel yard. He 
spoke, however, with much delight of past days when he had 
met them and preached to them the Lord J esus Christ 

On Monday evening he dictated to Mr. Weight a [number 
of aphorisms, of which the following may serve as a sample . 
« We can never desire to say ' Thy will be done !' until the 
kingdom of God is set up in our hearts ; and we can have no 
evidence that the kingdom of God is within us, unless it pro- 
duce righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." 
" Every subject of Christ's kingdom will naturally be desirous 
of entire conformity to the holy laws of that government to 
which he belongs. These first principles must be rooted and 
grounded in the heart of every gospel minister, or he cannot 
expect to preach them with power and success." " He who 
is influenced by these truths will yearn over souls in the 
bowels of Jesus Christ, and be animated with a glowing 
anxiety that his hearers should feel the truths he feels him- 
self." " No considerations whatsoever, which are not imme- 
diately conducive to the introduction of these first principles, 
should ever be allowed to influence his mind, or attend him in 
his sacred work. He will not consider his own feelings, but 
lay himself out for the universal good of the Saviour's cause. 
He will spend and be spent for the Redeemer, and die har- 
nessed as a good soldier of the Cross." " While it is acknow- 
ledged, that the labourer is worthy of his hire, yet this will be 
the very last thing that will engage his devoted mind. He 
will ' make full proof of his ministry,' and instead of asking 
when, where, and how often he is to preach, he will inquire 
how he can bring most souls to Christ, and do most good in 
his heavenly work." " It is impossible to excite zeal in the 
minds of the people, if they do not witness the overflowings of 
that zeal in the heart of their ministers. He must provoke 
them unto love and to good works." 

Now, though there be nothing objectionable in any of these 
sentences, it would be difficult to discover in them any traces 
of the prophetic afflatus ; they partake much of common- 



272 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



place, and are only deserving of record as showing the com- 
plexion of his mind three days before his departure. On 
Wednesday, the day before his death, he conversed freely 
with Mr. Weight on the subject of his past experience, and 
recommended it to him to make full proof of his ministry, and 
give himself wholly to it. In the course of the day, Mr. 
Weight asked his permission to write to a few of the neigh- 
bouring ministers, to invite them to meet for special prayer on 
his account, to which he instantly consented. The letters were 
accordingly prepared, but perceiving that " all the springs of 
life were ebbing fast in death," the letters were not sent. The 
proposal, however, appeared to gratify him so much, that he 
desired his servant to write down a hymn which he wished to 
compose for their use on the evening of the meeting ; but he 
was not able to collect his mind for any such purpose. Mr. W. 
asked him if he could see his personal interest in Christ ? 
To which he replied, that he could see more of the personal 
glory of Christ, than of his own interest in him. " God," 
said he, " is letting me down gently into the grave. I feel 
myself a poor, weak, sinful mortal, and desire to creep into 
heaven through some crevice in the door.'' 

On the evening of the same day (Wednesday) during a 
temporary wandering of mind, he requested that a chapter 
might be read to him, as he wished to select a text The 
passage he chose was, 2 Cor. v. 4, " For we that are in this 
tabernacle do groan, being burdened : not for that we would 
be unclothed, but clothed i^pon, that mortality might be swal- 
lowed up of life." About ten that night, he sent for Mr. 
Weight to conduct family worship at his bed-side, and refused 
to go to rest until all his domestics had assembled around 
flim, in compliance with his request. 

On Thursday morning, April 11th, his articulation failed, 
but those about him thought they could hear him repeating 
liassages of scripture, and verses of hymns — particularly, 
<' Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into 
the heart of man, the things that God hath prepared for those 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 273 

that love him." About ten o'clock that same moniino;, 
Mr. Weight gently whispered to him, the lines in Mr. Gam- 
bold's poem, which were almost hourly on his lips :— . 

" And when I'm to die, 

Receive me I'll ciy, 
For Jesus hath lov'd me, I cannot say wh}- — 

But this I can find. 

We two are so join'd, 
He'll not be in gloiy, and leave me behind." 

Mr. Hill tried to utter them, but could not, and this was 
almost the last evidence he gave of remaining sensibleness. 
He gradually became weaker, and departed this life about 
half-past five in the afternoon of that day, without a groan, a 
struggle, or a sigh; but exhibiting a fine illustration of 
" falling asleep in Jesus." 

Mr. Hill's funeral obsequies took place, according to his 
own expressed wish, at Surrey Chapel ; on the morning of 
Friday, April the 19th, when his mortal remains were interred 
in a brick vault prepared for them, immediately beneath the 
pulpit. The congregation began to assemble as early as nine 
o'clock, and to prevent confusion, persons were admitted by 
ticket. At ten o'clock every seat was filled, with the excep- 
tion of those that had been reserved for the mourners and 
friends. The pulpit and galleries were hung with black 
drapery, and nearly the whole assembly appeared in deep 
mourning. Most of the shops in the immediate neighbour- 
hood were partially closed, and many of the private houses 
had their window-blinds closely drawn, as a testimony to Mr. 
Hill's memory. The "pomp and circumstance" attending 
the ceremony of interment have already been sufficiently 
dilated on in all the periodicals, daily, weekly, and monthly, 
and may well be passed over in this place. A funeral sennon 
was delivered by Mr. Jay, of Bath, founded on Zech. xi. 2, 
Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen r But the applica- 
tion of the imagery is not very apparent; neither was the 
oration, taken as a whole, in Mr. Jay's best style. 

T 



274 MEMOIRS OF THE 

Funeral sermons were preached, in honour of his memory, 
by most of the dissenting ministers about town, and in various 
parts of the country, and several of them have been issued 
through the medium of the press. The Directors of the Lon- 
don Missionary Society held a meeting on Monday, April the 
22d, when it was resolved--" That the Directors receive 
with sentiments of profound submission to the Divine will the 
intellio-ence of the decease of the venerable Rowland Hill, 
and are deeply sensible of the loss which the Society has 
been thus called to sustain. That, while the Directors aftec- 
tionately sympathise with the bereaved congregation, and a 
large portion of the Christian community, in mourning 
the" departure of the brightest ornament of the age m 
which he lived,' for more than threescore years one of the 
greatest blessings to the church-they rejoice that Mr. Hill 
was one of the founders of the Society, and one of the 
preachers who, at its first formation, pubUcly advocated its 
claims-that from its commencement the Society has received 
his entire approbation, his ardent attachment, his ready 
and effective service, and his liberal support ; and the last 
public service for which he allowed himself to be announced, 
was to preside at a meeting of its friends: and while the 
Directors feel grateful that, to the end of his life, the Rev. 
Rowland Hill was the firm and constant friend of the Society, 
and rejoice in the faith which supported, and the hope which 
cheered his last hours on earth, they would pray tliat the 
mantle of the departed may descend on his survivors, and that 
the Lord may raise up others, who shall emulate his labours, 
and ultimately participate in his blessedness." 

As the " Village Itinerancy, or Evangelical Association for 
the spread of the Gospel," had always partaken largely of 
Mr Hill's affection and aid: so he now testified his goodwill 
towards it, by bequeathing the bulk of his property to the 
Treasurer for the time being, to be appropriated to its support 
At a meeting of the Committee for managmg the affairs ot 
that Society, held on Wednesday, AprillTth, the following 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



275 



grateful testimonial was drawn up and entered upon the 
Journal of their proceedings: 

" The Committee having heard with sacred sorrow of the 
death of their late colleague, the Rev. Rowland Hill, M. A., 
the venerable minister of Surrey Chapel, resolve, before they 
proceed to the business of the day, to place on their minutes a 
small, but faithful, portrait of their late venerable friend; from 
a knowledge extending through a period of more than thirty 
years, and from a pre-eminent regard for his excellent 
character. 

" Descended from an ancient family of rank, and born in 
an age when evangelical piety did not frequently walk in 
'the high places of the earth,' Mr. Hill, with some other 
branches of his family, became in early life a decided Chris- 
tian, and a devoted servant of the Son of God. Educated 
at Eton, and afterwards at St. John's, Cambridge, he was 
intended for the Church of England, and received deacon's 
orders ; and, when he might have entered into full service of 
the Church of England, he voluntarily took his rank with 
a few other pious and evangelical clergymen, and more 
especially with the immortal Whitefield, by going out of 
the regular path-ways of ecclesiastical service into the 
wilderness of society, to seek ' the lost sheep:' nobly sacrificing 
ease, and fame, and honour, and rank, and affluence, to 
bring these wanderers to the great Shepherd and Bishop of 
souls. 

" Reviewing the characteristic features of his public ministry 
— in his devotion to God, and his overflowing affection to 
man — we might say of him, as an infidel physician once said 
of the late Rev. Dr. Gillies, of Glasgow, ' He has a heart so 
large, and so warmed with Christian benevolence, that he 
seems as if he wished to carry every body to heaven with 
himself.' We reflect with g-ratitude on his unbending 
adherence to the truth as it is in Jesus— on the singular 
endowments which he possessed — the extensive field of labour 
which he occupied — the very long and protracted term of more 

*^ T 2 



276 Memoirs of the 

than sixty-six years spent in the faithful ministry of the gospel 

and for a measure of success in the conversion of sinners to 

a degree unprecedented, as we believe, in our times. 

" The long and intimate knowledge which we possessed of 
our late excellent friend, warrants us to record his personal 
exemplification of the principles of the gospel vvhich he 
preached. In him we have witnessed its sanctity, its celestial 
devotion, its amiable and active beneficence. His benevolence 
was not the efiervescence of feeling, it was the product of 
permanent principle, the grace of the Holy Spirit; steady and 
active, and operative, in all the charities of life: in his own 
house diffusing comfort, order, and happiness ; in his vicinity 
extending its tender solicitudes to the poor, the aged, the 
afflicted,°the widow, and the orphan. In the very musings of 
his mind he appeared to dwell in love, and it is said with 
inimitable sublimity, 'he that dwells in love, dwells in God, 
and God in him.' 

" In our late venerated friend we possessed one of the first, 
and of the oldest, fathers of the great voluntary associations 
of our age and country, destined, as we trust, to convey the 
light and'^influence of the gospel through the world. 

« Never have we seen any Christian minister, of any degree 
or denomination, of his own church or of any other, in our 
times, fill so large a circle of the public mind. When we have 
walked with him in the crowded city, we have seen men's 
eyes greeting him as they passed. If we have travelled with 
him into the country, every church and every chapel in which 
he ministered was crowded to hear him. 

" The Venns, the Berridges, and others, his fellow labourers 
at the commencement of his course, he has long survived; and 
now the last star of that constellation has set! The last 
personal associate of the apostolic Whitefield has finished his 



course ! 



At eighty-nine he was found diligently at work, when the 
great Master came. The message ^ Come up hither' was 
announced, and the venerable servant responded— 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



277 



* The hour of my departure's come, 
I hear the voice that calls me home ; 
Now, oh, my Lord, let trouble cease. 
Now let thy servant die in pea.ce.' 

" And now we shall see his face no more ; we shall hear his 
voice no more at our board; no longer shall we have his 
sympathies, and the aid of his energetic and benevolent spirit. 
We resolve unanimously that this committee shall now take 
measures to join their Christian brethren of all denominations 
to do him honour at his grave. 

The law of truth was in his mouth ; 
And iniquity was not found in his lips ; 
He walked with (God) in peace and equity, 
And did turn many from iniquity.' 

Malachi ii. 6." 



SECTION XI. 

REVIEW OF MR. hill's CHARACTER AND LABOURS, AS A 
CHRISTIAN AND MINISTER. 

Having traced Mr. Hill's history, in a general way, from 
his earliest years to the closing scenes of life, it now only 
remains for us to collect as it were into a focus, the various 
and scattered particles of light or information, intellectual, 
moral, and religious, which the narrative has elicited, and by 
endeavouring to form a just estimate of his character, point 
out to^ survivors the use they should make of his example. 
Mr. Hill, was, unquestionably, a comet in the religious world ; 
he moved in an eccentric orbit ; and though sometimes, happily, 
m the right path, yet often diverging from the centre, and 
consequently to be found among those who, as Milton says. 



" build, unbuild, contrive 



To save appearances ; who gird the sphere 
With centric and eccentric, scribbled o'er 
Cycle and epicycle, orb in orb." 



278 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



Were not the history of George Whitefield fresh in our 
recollection, we should be disposed to concede to Rowland 
Hill an originality of character ; but the former was undoubt- 
edly his prototype and model in many respects, though he was 
not a slavish imitator. If the merit of originality be justly 
due to Mr. Whitefield, as the chiefest apostle of Methodism, 
Mr. Hill was not a whit behind him, in his laborious exertions 
and disinterested efforts to spread abroad a savour of the 
knowledge of Christ in every place. They were, while living, 

" Arcades ambo, 

Et cantare pares et respondere parati,"" 

And when death removed Mr. Whitefield from the scene of 
his labours, the prophet's mantle fell upon Mr. Hill, who 
wore it with equal grace. The same contempt of ecclesiastical 
statutes which in honour and conscience they were bound to 
observe, or relinquish all connection with the establishment — 
the same fearless exposure to personal danger from the rude 
insults of the rabble — the same noise and vociferation in their 
manner of address — the same effort at wit and pleasantry, 
interspersing their sermons with facetious anecdotes, ad cap- 
iandum vulgus^ which has ever been found a successful bait to 
popularity; all these were prominent features in both orators. 
But Mr. Hill's history is spread over a far more extended 
surface of time than that of his predecessor, and it was a much 
more eventful period — it gave birth to numerous benevolent 
associations for the spread of the Gospel at home and abroad, 
for instructing the ignorant and mitigating the sum of human 
misery, which w^as scarcely thought of in Mr. Whitefield's 
day ; and in most of these excellent institutions Mr. Hill took 
an active part. But dropping the parallel, it may be useful to: 
take a somewhat closer survey of the subject before us. 

1. Mr. Hill's history presents us with a memorable instance 
of zealous exertion in publishing the glad tidings of salvation 
through a crucified Saviour. Having himself tasted that the 
Lord is gracious, he conferred not with flesh and blood, but 
became animated with an ardent desire to make others 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 279 

partake with him in the same blessedness ; he was willing to 
spend and be spent for the gospel's sake. In this good work 
he evinced extraordinary decision of mind ; such as must be 
allowed to give proof of real earnestness in what he was 
eno-ao-ed. Doubtless he had counted the cost, and was well 
apprised of the sacrifice he should be called to make of his 
ease and property and character, in pursuing the course which 
his judgment and convictions prescribed to him ; but, having 
once put his hand to the plough, he does not appear to have 
ever looked back, or shewn any disposition to return to the 
world as his portion. And when we take a review of the 
extended duration of his ministry, a period of more than three- 
score years — the indefatigable labours which filled that space 
of time; and add to these the disinterestedness by which 
they were characterized, having, as he tells us on one occasion, 
never received more than forty shillings for preaching (and 
that probably not from choice), it would be no easy matter to 
find more substantial proofs of earnestness and sincerity in the 
conduct of any individual since the times of the martyrs. Mr. 
Weight informs us, that Mr. Hill preserved a memorandum 
of the number of sermons he had delivered, from which it 
appears, that up to June 10th, 1831, he had preached 22,291 
times ; and he has been known to dehver twenty-one sermons 
in the course of a single week ! This cannot be called loiter- 
ing in his Master's vineyard ; and though it may be objected 
with truth, that his sermons cost him but little trouble in the 
preparation, it being more congenial with his views to " draw 
the bow at a venture," and shoot his arrows at random ; yet 
any one who has been a witness of his powerful declamation, 
especially in the earliar part of his ministry, and duly considers 
the astonishing expence of breath and physical force which it 
called into exercise, must marvel that he was so long able to 
sustain such exertions without sinking under them. Justly 
may it be said of him, that he was " in labours more abundant," 
and that not from necessity, but choice, and a desire to 
promote the best interests of his fellow smners. 



-^^80 MEMOIRS OF THE 

In proof of Mr. Hill's zeal in the work of the ministry, and 
to show how much his heart and soul were in it, I shall here 
take the liberty of introducing a letter written by him to the 
Ilev. Mr. Pen ty cross, dated Wells, August 1st, 1770, merely 
premising that Mr. Pentycross had been his fellow-collegian — 
had adopted similar sentiments in religion — been guilty of 
similar infractions of university statutes — and, like himself, 
met with repulse when he applied for ordination. 

" My Dear Penty, — I never sat down to write you with 
such a glee as at present, since I have known you. From the 
very bottom of my soul I wish you joy. on account of your 
being an outcast for God. This good news 1 had about nine 
days ago from Mr. Ivison, my dear friend, of Leeds. I could 
scarce help writing to you immediately, but have with much 
pain waited till you could have this letter free. Your rejection 
pleases me so much the better, on account of your having met 
with it /rom mi/ old friend the 'prelate of YorJc^ who was the 
last, blessed be God, who put the same honour upon me. At 
■first, when they began to reject me, I was coward enough to 
give way to my fears, and fool enough to conclude that unless 
I went forth overlaid with black, the very colour of the 
devil, I never should prevail ; but blessed be God that every 
day's experience more fully proves to me that all my fears were 
nothing but deceit. Will my dear Penty (though he has 
frequently rebuked me for it) suffer me to boast myself a little ; 
while I think I may venture to say I mean it not for my glory, 
but for your encouragement ? The poorest of the poor, and 
the vilest of the vile, is the only character that at all times I 
mean to claim as my own ; while at the same time may I be 
enabled to give all the glory to the power of triumphant grace, 
that in any measure helps us to go forward. Thousands and 
thousands attend all about these parts, and the evident power 
of great grace is abundantly amongst us. We have more than 
enough daily before our eyes, fully to convince us that no 
human garb, or human authority, shall ever be wanting, when 
the power of the gospel is present to heal Upon the whole. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 281 

every day's experience more fully satisfies me that all things 
that have ever hitherto happened have been entirely for the 
best. 

" I do not, however, my dear brother, mean to lay down my 
conduct as a rnle for your walk ; no, I trust, from my soul, 
that I detest the thought of ever assuming that place in any 
man's conscience which so strictly belongs to God. My only 
and ardent prayer for you is, that God may abundantly 
baptize you with his Holy Spirit; first fit you for his will, and 
then teach you what it is. If your eye is but single, and your 
heart indeed devoted to God's glory, you will not long be left 
in the dark. 

" After having said thus much, I mention what follows in 
general terms. As a despised outcast, and servant of the dear 
Lord Jesus, I can answer for hundreds, yea, I may say, 
thousands, that long to have the honour to receive you as a 
messenger of the gospel in their open arms. I can answer for 
Bristol above all places besides— how gladly they would 
receive you as their own soul !— and as they have done me the 
unsought kindness to put me into the Tabernacle connexion 
in that city, and, having thereby some right to send you an 
invitation, I do, with multitudes of others, send you a most 
cordial one— if you find your heart inclined to cast your 
despised lot amongst us, come without delay. The harvest 
in these parts is truly very great, and our labourers are but 
few. Multitudes of fresh places are lately broken up, and 
promise wonderful for established works, and it only 
grieves us that we cannot help even half of our calls. Dear 
Captain Joss has been among us— he will, [assist us much] 
when he returns, which I believe will not be for some weeks, 
as he is now gone to preach about Wales. He has been' 
preaching in Gloucestershire to larger congregations than 
ever Mr. Whitefield had; 15,000, or upwards, was his congre- 
gation on the Sunday before last, on Hampton Common. 

" Direct for me at the Rev. Mr. Kinsman's, Plymouth : but, 
as I am not certain whether that direction will be sufficient^ 



282 MEMOIRS OF THE 

you had better ask Mr. Keene, or some of tlie London friends, 
for a surer direction ; only, my dear Penty, do remember and 
write soon; and, when you write, pray don't forget to send 
me the particulars of your refusal. 

" Dear love awaits dear dear Mr. Atkinson, and all otber 
friends in London. As the last post brought me a very kind 
invitation from Mr. Keene to Tabernacle and Tottenham, I 
know not but that before the expiration of any long time, if 
God spares my life, I may beat up to that part of the kingdom ; 
—in the interval, let not my dear Penty, nor any of our dear 
friends, ever cease to pray for their and your most sincere and 
affectionate" "R- Hill." 

It may be here added, that Mr. Pentycross succeeded in 
obtaining ordination in the following year (1771), and was 
appointed to the curacy of Riegate, in Surrey, at which time 
he became intimately acquainted with' the late Mr. Romaine, 
who kindly patronised him, and in 1774, obtained for him the 
Rectorship or Vicarage of Wallingford, in Berkshire, where 
he exercised his ministry for thirty-four years, dying on the 
8th of Feb. 1808. Mr. Hill's letter is extremely charac- 
teristic of the writer ; and while it serves to show how much 
his heart and soul were engaged in his vocation, it gives a 
pleasing specimen of his kindly feelings towards his friend, 
and his readiness to cheer and encourage him to bear up under 
his disappointment. 

And while expatiating on the subject of Mr. Hill's zealous 
exertions in diffusing the knowledge of Christ, let us not 
overlook the fact of the general correctness of his doctrinal 
sentiments. He maintained with a firm and unwavering hand 
the universal depravity of mankind, in consequence of the fall 
of our first parents, whereby human nature became corrupted 
at its source, and all their posterity are " shapen in iniquity 
and conceived in sin," so as to need regenerating grace to 
restore them to the favour and image of their Maker- to 
enable them to love God, and keep his commandments. He 
held that the salvation of guilty men was all of free and 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



283 



sovereign grace, and not of works, lest any man should boast. 
That the blessed God, out of pure philanthropy, to display 
the riches of his grace, and manifest his love to a guilty 
worldj sent his only begotten Son, in the fulness of time, to 
make atonement for their sins, and by reconciling the claims of 
justice with the exercise of mercy, vindicate the honours of 
the divine government in the remission of sins, and justification 
of the ungodly. His views of the person, character, offices, 
and grace of the Redeemer were strictly consonant to tbe 
oracles of God. In all his preaching and in all his writings 
he held forth Jesus of Nazareth to be the Son of God, or 
God manifest in human nature ; an eternally divine person, 
the maker and upholder of all things ; the object of worship 
to angels and men ; yet voluntarily laying down his life as the 
ransom price of our redemption, and thus expiating sin by tlie 
sacrifice of himself. He contended for the perfection of this 
sacrifice, and held it forth in his preaching as the only founda- 
tion of hope to the lost and undone, calling upon sinners to 
look to it, and build upon it for time and eternity. He was 
moreover a strenuous advocate for the honour of divine grace, 
insisting upon it, that wherever the gospel was understood and 
believed, it would lead to " deny ungodliness and worldly 
lusts," and influence the believer to " live righteously, soberly, 
and godly, in this present world" — it would purify the heart 
from the love and practice of sin, and lead to press after 
holiness in the fear of God. Thus while he viewed Socinianism 
as a monstrous heresy, totally subversive of the Gospel of 
God, and most ruinous to the souls of men, he steered his 
course between Arminianism on the one hand, and Antino- 
mianism on the other ; the former he rejected, as leading the 
awakened sinner to take rehme in Pharisaical self-riofhteous- 
ness, and the latter to build presumption upon principle, and 
relax those oblio^ations to holiness which flow from redeeminsf 
love, and gratitude for pardoning mercy. His views of these 
subjects may be seen in his " Village Dialogues," from which 
I have already made copious extracts in a fbraier section. 



284 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



I may remark fardier, that in the steadfastness of his faith, 
and the consistency with which he held his doctrinal senti- 
ments, Mr. Hill set a praiseworthy example to his cotempo- 
raries in the ministry, and to posterity. Since the time that 
the " Aurora Borealis," that hr-hmed-northern-light, visited 
the metropolis of England, and began to display its corrus- 
cations in the neighbourhood of the Regent's Park, exhaling 
pestilential vapours : first prognosticating the resurrection of 
Judaism, during the thousand years' reign of the saints — ^then 
in strains of the boldest blasphemy insisting on the sinfulness 
of our Lord's humanity — and now contending for a renewal of 
miraculous powers to be bestowed on the church — what 
affectinof instances of vacillation has it fallen to our lot to 
witness ! To his praise be it recorded, that Mr. Hill was 
never carried away by any of these delusions ; nor did he ever 
give into them for a single hour ; on the contrary, he uni- 
formly raised his voice against them, as originating with the 
grand adversary and destroyer of souls. 

But while I bear this, as I think, just and fair testimony to 
Mr. Hill's soundness in the faith, and to his steady adherence to 
" the form of sound words," as contrasted with that instability 
and ficklemindedness — that " being carried about with divers 
and strange doctrines," which is so observable in many in our 
day, I would not be understood as intending to intimate that 
I consider Mr. Hill ever to have been a profound theologian; 
to have declared all the counsel of God, and to have rightly 
divided the word of truth ; or to have been an able minister 
of the New Testament. Assuredly he had no pretensions to 
claims of this kind. His preaching was restricted to the^r^^ 
principles of the oracles of God ; the doctrine of the fall of our 
first parents, and its effects on their posterity: the necessity of 
repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; 
the resurrection of the dead, and a final judgment. While 
handling these important topics he was at home, and it was his 
constant endeavour to awaken sinful mortals from the state of 
stupid insensibility into which sin has plunged them, and point 



REV. ROWLAND HILL, 



285 



them to the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the 
world. In this respect, Mr. Hill was, what his predecessor, 
George Whitefield, used to describe himself to be, viz. " a 
rough mason in the quarry, hewing out stones for others to 
smoothe and polish" for the church or temple of God. There 
are, however, many other most important topics connected 
with the Christian ministry, about which Mr. Hill rarely, if 
ever, troubled his head ; and those relate to " the kingdom 
and patience of Jesus Christ." In fact, had he entered 
properly into the doctrine of Christ's good confession before 
the Roman governor, as respects the nature of his kingdom ; 
its subjects, laws, immunities and privileges; he never could 
have said or written the wild and extravagant things that 
unfortunately for his character, he has done. But, he was 
Rowland-never-wrong ^ in his own estimation ; and in relation 
to these topics, had little ear to give to " what the Spirit saith 
unto the churches," as will presently appear. 

2. There were few things for which Mr. Hill took more 
credit to himself, or on which he was so much disposed to 
plume himself, as for his Catholicism, his enlarged charity, and 
his freedom from bigotry. Now, though I have repeatedly 
touched upon this subject in a cursory manner, in the preced- 
ing pages, I feel disposed, in this place, to resume it, and 
examine it more narrowly in the light of the New Testament; 
especially as it is one of those points on which superficial 
minds are very apt to be led astray. 

When the London Missionary Society was first formed, Mr. 
Hill appears to have contemplated the scene with pious, if not 
rapturous emotion. Churchmen and Dissenters of various 
descriptions, all agreed to merge their differences, and so far 
lay aside the party distinctions which had prevailed among 
them, as cordially to unite together as brethren, in the execu- 
tion of a benevolent plan for Christianizing the Heathen. 
By mutual agreement, wherever the fruits of their Missionary 
labours appeared, the converts were to be left to follow their 
own judgment in what regarded the formation of churches, 



286 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



their plan of worship, and rules of discipline. But the 
Missionary Union was carried a point beyond this. At each 
anniversary meeting, all who were friendly to the object of the 
society, of whatever sect or party they might be, were invited 
to assemble around the table of the Lord, and jointly partake 
of the symbols of his broken body and shed blood; thus 
recognizing each other as members of Christ's mystical body, 
notwithstanding their diversified sentiments respecting the 
nature of his kingdom and the order of his house. One of the 
sermons preached at the formation of the Missionary Society, 
(24th Sept. 1795), was delivered by the late David Bogue, of 
Gosport, who, not a wit less enthusiastic in the cause than Mr. 
Hill, thus addressed the assembled multitude at Tottenham- 
court Chapel : — 

" We have now before us a pleasing spectacle ; Christians 
of different denominations, although differing in points of 
church government, united in forming a society for propagat- 
ing the gospel among the heathen. This is a new thing in 
the Christian church. Some former societies have accepted 
donations from men of different denominations ; but the 
government was confined to one. But here are Episcopalians, 
Methodists, Presbyterians, and Independents, all united in 
one society, all joining to form its laws, to regulate its insti- 
tutions, and manage its various concerns. Behold us here 
assembled with one accord to attend the fwieral of bigotry • 
And may she be buried so deep that not a particle of her dust 
may ever be thrown up on the face of the earth. I could 
almost add, cursed he the man who shall attempt to raise her 
from the grave page 130, of Printed Sermon, entitled 
" Objections against a Mission, &c. considered." 

Having thus happily succeeded in burying Old Bigotry, 
and anathematizing the man who should attempt to raise her 
from the grave, Mr. Hill wrote the following Epitaph, which 
was sung, no doubt, with pious enthusiasm, after the interment 
of the monster. 



REV. ROWLAND HI LI;. 



2m 



" Here lies Old Bigotry, abhorr'd 
By all that love our common Lord ; 
No more liis influence shall prove, 
The torment of the sons of love. 

We celebrate with holy mirth, 
This monster's death — of hellish birth : 
Ne'er may his hateful influence rise, 
Again to blast our sacred joys. 

Gloiy to God, we now are one. 
United to one head alone ; 
With undivided hearts w^e praise 
Our God, for his uniting grace. 

Let names, and sects, and parties fail. 
Let Jesus Christ be all in all ; 
Thus like thy saints above shall we 
Be one wdth each, as one with thee.' 

Thus terminated the first act of this pious drama ; biffofrT 
was dead and buried, and a requiem sung to his manes! 
There were, however, a few cool-headed bye-standers, who 
surveyed the whole imposing ceremony of the interment of 
this hideous monster, with a somewhat sceptical turn of mind, 
and could not help suspecting that all was not right in this 
affair ; that whatever Messrs. Boo-ue and Hill mioht wish to 
make others believe, yet still the spirit of bigotry was not 
quite extinct even in those who exclaimed the loudest against 
it. In particular, they could not but be surprised to find the 
Rev. Dr. Haweis, in a sermon preached about that time at 
Surrey Chapel, displaying his most extensive Catholicism 
towards Protestant Dissenters, by an attempt to render them 
odious, as " holding convivial meetings for the purpose of 
consulting on the best method of supporting the Dissenting 
interest," and embellishing his sarcasm by the mention of 
their introducing " pipes and tobacco." Nor w^ere they less 
struck with the conduct of the Rev. Rowland Hill, who in his 
famous discourse on the formation of the Missionary Society 
poured forth an anathema, in the name of the Lord, against 
all those of his own brethren, who thought proper to stand 
neuter for the moment, and did not see it their duty to lend 



288 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



their hand or their purse to the " South Sea project;" for to 
such he did not scruple to apply the denunciation of the 
angel, Judg. v. 23, " Curse ye Meroz, curse ye bitterly, the 
inhabitants thereof, because they came not to the help of the 
Lord." Now these and various other things, which then 
occurred, looked questionable, and infused doubts into the 
minds of some, whether there was not a mistake somewhere 
about the death of this said bigotry; and whether, when 
properly examined, the whole of this extraordinary hubbub 
about the interment of the monster, leally amounted to any 
thing more than a declaration of indifference to the grand 
principles of Protestantism^ or a disposition on the part of the 
Dissenters to sacrifice their distinguishing principles and 
tenets from mere complaisance to a certain description of 
episcopal clergymen. 

Liberal, however, as were these concessions on the part of 
the Dissenters, it does not seem to have long satisfied Mr. 
Hill; and, accordingly, at no very distant period, we find 
him thus attacking the whole body in one of his publications : 
" We (at Surrey Chapel) have never found it necessary to 
resort to those rigid, and I think I may say, unscriptural rules, 
adopted by those who wish to keep their little party to them- 
selves. Such as are admitted among us, if permitted by 
others, are at liberty to go elsewhere also ; only, if they come 
with us we expect to know their lives*. Hence we have none 
of the complaints of those poor crippled creatures, that have 
given themselves up to any of those houses of sp)irituao 
confinement^ expressing how glad tliey should be to show 
brotherly love and affection to other congregations also, but 
that they dare not, because it is against the laws of their 
church, and that positive excommunication would be the 

* He had just Ijefore compared the city of London to a great wilder- 
ness, adding," We seldom know how our next neighbour lives : I have, 
therefore, found great difficulty in announcing, on three different occasions, 
before all the communicants, the names and abodes of those who wish 
more statedly to join the communion," viz. at Surrey Chapel ! I ! 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



2S9 



result: — Thus punishing a violation of tlieir bigotted lows 
among themselves with equal severity as they would punish 
another for adultery or theft, or any other notorious violation 
of the express laws of God. Now, how far little sectarian 
parties^ have a right to divide the Church of Christ, which 
ought to be united, as we are all one in our living Head, I 
leave them to determine. The sins of heresy and schism must 
rest somewhere ; and if the one term means to pick out, or to 
take away, and the other to divide, or rend, we may easily 
judge whether these sectarian, separating churches, are scrip- 
tural or not*." 

Here the reader has a precious specimen of that catholic 
charity for which Mr. Hill was such a vociferous advocate. 
The tables are completely turned upon the Dissenters; their 
churches stand branded with the guilt of heresy and schism ; 
and on what ground ? Why, becaTise they consider that in the 
apostolic churches they have a plan of proceeding, or a rule 
given them, whereby to regulate all the affairs of the house of 
God, and because they consider themselves under an obli- 
gation to abide by it ! We have lately seen Mr. Hill in his 
celebrated Sale of Curates," giving up his own established 
church of England as schisrnaiical in having dissented from 
the most ancient apostolical church of Rome; and now the 
dissenting churches are guilty of the sins of heresy and schism 
in separating from her ! At one time he tells us, " much has 
been said of late upon the subject of schism, as well as 
enthusiasm; and truly serious persons, who abhor both of 
those in their evil sense, have been charged with maintaining 
or abetting them. But the charge is misapplied, and should 
have been directed elsewhere. Those are the worst schis- 
matics, the real and most dangerous dissenters from the 
doctrine, and the greatest disgrace to the discipline of the 
church of England, who while they profess to be its ministers 
and members, do most strenuously contradict by evil life, or 

* Warning to Professors, 3d edition, 1806, octavo, p. G4. 
u 



290 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



heterodox principles, tlie fundamentals of the Christian 
religion, and pervert the true end and purpose for which our 
own, or indeed any other establishment was protected by 
secular laws." Anon he declares " vengeance against narrow- 
minded bigots, who finding the word of God uncompliant to 
designs like theirs, have combined together to support their 
dogmas according to certain rules of their own creating : and 
all those as contrary to the sacred designs of God, as the 
designs of Christianity can be to those of Mahomet, the Pope, 
or the Devil." Presently we find him acknowledging 
" PRIMITIVE PRECEDENT," and admitting that " the nearer we 
act according to it^ the more we maij expect the blessing of the 
Great Head of the Church upon our labours^' And yet, in 
the very same page he telb us, that " with respect to the 
order which God has decreed for the government of his house, 
« nothing was precisely determined^ but we are referred to 
general rules, and these were brought forward just as circum- 
stances demanded.*" As to himself, he has " a predilection 
in favour of the established church (of England) according to 
the outlines of her general plan ;" that is, with her Popish 
Hierarchy— the badge of Antichrist: but "the internal 
government of every (Christian) church must ,be congre- 
gational— S2fnc% independent!'' Such is the confused and 
contradictory style in which the good man wrote upon a 
subject which it would have been wise in him never to have 
meddled with. 

In the paragraph lately quoted, the reader has a fine sample 
of that meek and gentle spirit which is the genuine product of 
catholic charity! One cannot but remark, how the phrases, 
« heresy and schism"—" unscriptural rules"—" crippled 
creature's" " sectarian churches"—" houses of spiritual con- 
finement"— " bigotted laws," &c. &c. dance through the 
extract in all the mazes of metaphorical confusion! The 
whole may be taken as a summary of all that has been written 



* Journal nf a Tour, p. 139. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



291 



by Mr. Hill and others on that side of the question; and 
considering it in that point of view, it may be useful to the 
living to offer a few observations upon it, for the purpose of 
shewing how baseless is the foundation upon which the whole 
rests, and how easy is the defence of the strict communionists 
in the present instance. To circumscribe the inquiry and 
bring it within the limits which are compatible with the 
present undertaking, we shall select the case of the Baptists 
refusing to communicate at the Lord's table with Psedobap- 
tists, though every intelligent reader will perceive that thi 
very same arguments will be found equally valid when applied t( 
the case of Independent churches not admitting members of th< 
national establishment, such as Mr. Hill and his clerical allies, 
to hold occasional fellowship with them. The Baptists, it may 
be recollected, are severely taken to task for their bigotry, in 
the preface to the " Village Dialogues." 

Now the bigotry — sectarianism — and sin of the Baptists, so 
much complained of, consists in their making Baptism a term 
of communion. But their answer to this is, that Christ himself 
has made it such, and that therefore they have no authority to 
dispense with it in favour of any individuals whom they regard 
as unbaptized, however favourably, in other respects, they may 
think of their Christian character. The principle on which 
they proceed is this; that as there is only one faith which is 
essential to salvation, so there is also one baptism which 
corresponds with it, and which by the will of its Institutor is 
inseparably connected, at least with the scriptural confession 
of that faith (Mark xvi. 16,) and so essentially necessary to 
the visible communion of saints. Whether they consider the 
order of Christ's commission, the practice of the inspired 
apostles in executing it, or the nature and import of the 
ordinances themselves, they think it clear, that Baptism must 
always precede admission into a church, or communion in the 
Lord's supper. They regard the practice of infant-sprinkling 
in the light of a mere human invention, one of the main pillars 
of Popery ; and, as such, are bound to protest against it To 

u2 



292 MEMOIRS OF THE 

receive any persons into their churches on the ground thaf 
they have undergone that unauthorized rite at a time when 
they were incapable of hearing, understanding, and believing 
the Gospel, would be to countenance error., and become 
partakers of other men's sins. They say, therefore, that were 
they to receive into their communion such persons as neglect 
or despise a plain and positive institution of the Saviour, it 
would be to assume a dispensing power, which in them would 
be highly inconsistent and criminal. Christ has committed 
his truths and ordinances to his churches to keep and hold 
fast until he come again. Rev. ii. 25; but not to dispense with 
in favour of any persons whatever their character may be. 
Consequently, they are not only bound to observe his institu- 
tions themselves, but to take heed that every member of the 
body with which they are connected, observe them also. 

In opposition to this dutiful line of conduct, Mr. Hill loudly 
complains, that by making baptism a term of communion, 
they become guilty of the sin of schism, it becomes an 
occasion of dividing the real children of God. The Baptists 
reply—" We admit the fact, hut refuse the blame." We 
freely admit, that there are multitudes of God's dear children 
unenlightened as to baptism; many of them have never 
■ attended to the subject ;\nd others, through the influence of 
custom and erroneous instruction, have taken up with infant- 
sprinkling in its stead. It is also a fact, that while they and 
we continue in our present circumstances, we must remam 
divided as to visible church communion. But the question is, 
Which of us are to blame? Those who make conscience of 
abiding firm by the scripture rule, or they who do not comply 
with it? And whether should Christians unite in observing 
Christ's institutions or in dispensing with them? Now the 
very statement of the question is a sufficient answer to such as 
hold the institutions of Christ to be of indispensable obliga- 
tion. We are grieved to think that so many of the real children 
of God are living in the neglect of the very first ordinance of 
the gospel: we endeavour to hold it forth to them consistently. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. ^ 293 

our example, doctrine, and separate communion— we 
cordially invite them to fellowship with us in this, and all the 
other institutions of Christ, according to the order in which he 
has placed them; and we earnestly pray to their Father and 
ours, that he would dispel their ignorance, remove their preju- 
dices, and subject their consciences to this and every other 
part of his revealed will ; but while they remain in their 
present mind, we dare not meet them any nearer, nor step 
oyer the sacred boundaries which Christ hath marked out in 
his word, in order to give them the right hand of fellowship." 

Such is the apology which the Baptists tender for their 
conduct ; but neither Rowland Hill, nor Robert Hall, nor any 
other of the sticklers for mixed communion have ever yet 
been able to show its inconsistency with the doctrine of Christ 
and his apostles. They have indeed loudly vociferated 
bigotry, sectarianism, want of charity, heresy, and schi sm " 
and a thousand other opprobrious epithets; but these prove 
nothing so much as their own disaffection to the rule of the 
word of God, and their disinclination to be regulated by it in 
what relates to the kingdom of Christ in this world. The 
line of conduct which they (the Baptists) pursue is indeed 
very opposite to that profane compliant charity so much cried 
up in the professing world, which has neither the Scriptures, 
for its rule, nor the truth for its object— a charity which 
esteems conscientiousness in error equivalent to soundness in 
the faith, and legitimates a kind of Christianity which stands 
independent of keeping the commandments of God and the 
faith of Jesus: but it is perfectly agreeable to true charity, 
which consists in love to the truth, and to those who are of 
the truth for its sake, as perceiving it dwelling in them by its 
genuine effects. If we esteem all the commandments of the 
gospel to be plain, important, and indispensable ; if we see 
them to be effects o/ divine wisdom, benevolence, and love ; if 
we are persuaded that the interest of the disciples of Christ 
lies in ohservingi\vQm, and that there is either sin or danger in 
neglecting them ; then surely, regard to the divine authoritv, 



294 



MEMOIRS OP THE 



love to the truth, and charity to men, all imperiously require 
that we dispense with none of them. 

Mr. Hill is pleased to deny that the New Testament pre- 
sents us with any plan of the apostolic churches ; for, says 
he, " Had such a plan made a part of divine revelation, there 
would certainly have been less disputings about it But if 
the plan of the apostolic churches makes no part of the divine 
revelation, it must be worse than idle to talk about " primi- 
tive precedent," and the " wisdom of acting according to it." 
In this way Mr. Hill answers himself. He thinks it " a sup- 
posable idea, that the seven Asiatic churches might have 
adopted different modes of public worship, and perhaps of a 
government also, and still esteemed themselves as in Christian 
fellowship with each other f." Suppositions are easily made, 
but they are unworthy of an answer in cases of this kind. It 
the churches of Christ, subsequent to the times of the apostles, 
have no plan or precedent left them for their guidance and 
direction in those churches which were formed under the 
supervision of inspired guides, for what purpose was the 
history of their proceedings committed to writing? The 
church in Jerusalem, for instance, which set the pattern, and 
formed a " precedent" for all others to copy after;— here, the 
different branches of public worship are laid before us with 
sufficient minuteness, Acts ii. 41-7, and the whole history of 
the first planting of Christianity, which is given us in the Acts 
of the Apostles, is in perfect harmony with what took place at 
Jerusalem. The ambassadors of the prince of peace went 
forth in all directions, preaching the word, and wherever, 
through the blessing of Heaven, men were converted to the 
faith, they separated the disciples from the unbelieving world, 
formed them into a church state, and delivered to them the 
same ordinances which were first instituted at Jerusalem, to 
be observed by them for the glory of God and their own 



* Warning to Professors, p. 64, 
t Second Letter to Mr. G, Burden 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



295 



edification, in the view of Christ's second coming. The 
inspired apostles acting under their Lord's commission, set the 
first churches in order, ordained elders and deacons in every 
church for the maintaining of regularity in all their proceed- 
ings, and the proper exercise of the gifts bestowed on the 
body by the Great Head of the Church— and left particular 
instructions in their writings what description of men should 
be chosen to those offices to the end of time. The apostle 
Paul, in Eph. iv. 4 — 6, particularly specifies the grand catho- 
lic unities which are essential to every real church of Christ — 
the members form one body, they have all one Spirit^ one 
hope of their calling, one Lord^ one faith^ one baptism^ one 
God and Father of all. The bond of union common to all 
the churches was their mutual charity ; they loved one 
another for the truth's sake which dwelleth in them and 
tlieir union in a church state gave them an opportunity of 
exercising this divine principle, love, in its various ramifica- 
tions ; watching over each other in faithfulness, administering 
counsel, admonition, reproof, consolation, &c. as the case 
required, and so they were fellow-helpers of each other's faitli 
and charity and holiness; bearing one another's burdens, 
they fulfilled the law of Christ, his new commandment of 
brotherly love, by which he would have his disciples distin- 
guished from the world around them. 

It has never yet been shown by Mr. Hill or any other 
writer what there is defective in the writings of the evangelists 
and apostles to constitute a perfect rule of faith and practice 
to the churches of Christ in all ages and countries, under 
every form of political government, and every description of 
civilization. He has indeed taken no little pains in several of his 
tracts to quibble at various parts of this divine economy, and 
explain away or involve in mystery what he did not like : but 
the real ground of all this may be easily seen. He was not 
so destitute of discernment as not to perceive, that the primi- 
tive church order and worship, as laid down in the New Tes- 
tament, was in many important respects completely at variance 



296 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



with the plans pursued at Surrey Chapel; and that were he td 
adopt it and follow it out consistently in all its parts, the 
whole scheme of things which he had devised and matured 
would instantl}^ be turned topsy-turvy. Were the order ot 
the apostolic churches introduced at Surrey Chapel, in one 
month the thousands who frequent the place would be reduced 
to so many hundreds — perhaps scores, or dozens ! In short, 
Mr. Hill was perfectly aware that it would never do! and 
though that order be of divine appointment — the result of the 
wisdom, grace, and love of the ascended Saviour, and the 
only plan of worship which comports with the nature of his 
kingdom, and the designs of his grace, in training up his 
subjects in a state of disconformity to this present evil world, 
and meetness for his eternal kingdom, there are comparatively 
but few of his professed disciples that have a hearty relish for 
it. WJTien the Missionary union was formed, the grave divines 
who were at the head of it agreed by mutual consent to place 
every thing relating to the order and worship of a Christian 
church, in the class of "Non-essentials," and in that light 
they have continued to regard them ever since. Such persons 
as had sufficient tenderness of conscience to demur to this, 
and consider themselves bound by duty and affection to 
" observe all things whatsoever Christ has commanded," and 
his apostle^ instituted in his name, have never ceased to be 
branded with the opprobrious epithets of sectarians and bigots 
— churches constituted upon this plan are dubbed (mad- 
houses) houses of "spiritual confinement" — "little sectarian 
parties" — " guilty of the sins of heresy and schism !" Such are 
the polished epithets bestowed upon them by Mr. Hill ; and all 
this is to be considered the overflowings of catholic charity ! 
I lately laid before the reader an extract from the pen of Dr. 
^ardlaw, relating to the constitution of the primitive church, 
and its peculiar adaptedness to the nature of Christ's king- 
dom : let us hear him once more on the point in hand, viz. 
holding the apostolic institutions as " non essentials." 

I cannot pass from this part of my subject, (says Dr, 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



297 



Wardlaw) without an observation or two on tlie importance of 
Buch inquiries. It has many a time, I am aware, been over- 
rated ; and it always is over-rated, when aught that is exter- 
nal is either substituted for what is internal, or is contemplated 
in any other light than as a means to an end. But the pro- 
pensity to under-miQ it is still more prevalent. It is the 
fashion of the times to make light of it ; and all who bend 
their attention to it, or write, or talk about it, are set down as 
mere ' tithers of mint, and anise, and cummin :' a rather 
unfortunate allusion, inasmuch as, while the Saviour says of 
' the weightier matters of the law,' ' These ought ye to have 
done,' he immediately subjoins, even as to their contemning 
tithing, ' And not leave the other undone.' But, seriously, 
the constitution of the church, though not an end, is a means 
to an end. The end is its own spiritual edification, along with 
the advancement of the great interests of divine truth, the 
glory of the divine name, and the salvation of a guilty world. 
The church was instituted for these ends^ and her constitution 
was adapted by divine wisdom to their attainment. In all other 
cases we estimate the value of the means by the magnitude of 
the end. So should we here. Contempt of the end is involved 
in contempt of the means. We value highly a good system 
of civil government. But the value we attach to it is not on 
its own account, as a mere matter of skilful arrangement, and 
regular subordination and political display ; it is for the sake 
of the ends which government in civil society is intended to 
answer, which are felt by all to be of the highest temporal 
consequence; the security of person, property, liberty, and 
life, and the promotion of general comfort, prosperity, social 
confidence, and happiness. We value the means, because we 
value the end; and we esteem that scheme of government the 
best, and appreciate it accordingly, which is in theory best 
adapted for working out these ends, and whose practical 
efficiency corresponds with its theoretical excellence. Why 
should Christians, while they are so sensible of the value of 
good government in the state, smile at the very mention of 



298 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



the order and government of the church, as if it were a matter 
quite unworthy the serious regard of a devout and spiritual 
mind 't Whatever our divine master has reckoned it worth 
his while to command, it must surely be worth our while to 
obey : and they who are not aware of the intimate relation 
between the constitution of the church and her spiritual, 
which is her only true prosperity, must be very ignorant of the 
tendencies of general principles, and must have glanced over 
the pages of her history with a strangely unobservant eye. 
These externalities, we are often told, are not religion. 
Granted : but are bread and water of no value, because they 
are not life ? If they contribute to sustain life, then life is 
the measure of their value ; and in like manner, though out- 
ward institutions are not religion, yet, if they contribute to 
promote religion, religion becomes the measure of their 
value 

This view of the matter, it must be allowed on all hands, 
differs very widely from that taken of it by Mr. Hill, and the 
other founders of the London Missionary Society; but which 
of them is most consonant to the voices of Christ and his 
apostles, it behoves every reader to judge for himself. " To 
the law and to the testimony : if men speak not according to 
this word, it is because there is no light in them." We are 
commanded by an apostle to " Believe not every spirit, but 
try the spirits whether they are of God : because many false 
prophets are gone out into the world." There cannot be a 
surer proof of falsehood in any spirit or doctrine than its lead- 
ing men to undervalue, or make light of any saying or duty 
enjoined upon us by Christ or his apostles. On this subject I 
shall take the liberty of quoting another Scotch author of 
recent date, who treats the subject with equal perspicuity and 
power with Dr. Wardlaw. Thus he writes : 

" Among those who acknowledge in general that the word 
of God is the only rule of Christian faith and practice, there 



* Sermon on Civil Establishments of Christianity, p. 11, 12. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



299 



are many who, in direct opposition to that principle, claim a 
liberty to add to, or dispense with that rule, according as the 
difference of times, established customs, or other circumstances 
may, in their opinion, require. Many pass high encomiums 
on primitive Christianity, and profess to admire the divine 
purity of its doctrines, and the beautiful simplicity of its 
institutions, worship, order, and discipline, who yet- freely 
censure every attempt to revive it. It is impossible for 
candour itself to reconcile this with a due regard to the word 
of God, unless we can suppose that they look upon that word 
as calculated only for the first age of Christianity, or as autho- 
rizing the superstitious institutions of succeeding generations. 
Those who would be thought liberal in their sentiments, 
despise what they call the little singularities of parties ; and 
they are right so far as these singularities are of human 
invention. They do not, however, stop here, but treat many 
things in the New Testament itself as matters of indifference, 
or non-essentials : but whatever may be said of the compara- 
tive importance of things, it is essential to the character of a 
true Christian^ to consider himself as indispensably hound to 
lelieve and practise all things whatever Christ hath revealed or 
enjoined in his word^ so far as he under sta^ids it: so that no 
article of the faith once delivered to the saints, nor any of 
the least of Christ's commandments, however singular and 
unfashionable they may be, can, in the fear of God, be treated 
as the trivial nostrums of a party. True Christianity is the 
most benevolent and generous religion that ever appeared on 
earth ; but at the same time it is a very singular institution ; 
it is not of this world, but quite opposite to the spirit and course 
of it: therefore such as unreservedly follow Christ, and 
conscientiously observe his sayings, must necessarily be distin- 
guished from the world and looked upon as a party*." 

I have been the more particular on this point, and dwelt the 



* Christ's Commission to his Apostles illustrated, by. Archibald 
M'Lean, Preface, p. viii. 



300 



MEMOIRS ut' THK 



more largely upon it, for this sole reason, that I think it due 
to the cause of God and truth, and those who would strictly 
adhere to that cause, to point out the error of Mr. HilPs 
judgment in the matter, and show how totally groundless were 
his charges of bigotry and sectarianism, as applied to those 
conscientious dissenters whose sole aim it is to regulate all 
their church affairs according to the will of their God and 
Saviour, as made known in the New Testament. As hath 
been formerly remarked, p. 162, &c. even though through an 
excess of scupulosity, arising from an anxious desire to be 
found "obedient in all things," the churches referred to might 
be thought in some instances unnecessarily rigid; or, to use a 
phrase of frequent occurrence in Mr. Hill's writings, " righte- 
ous overmuch;" yet still I must contend, that freal candour, 
or that charity which thinketh no evil, would respect the motive 
in which such couduct originated, and instead of holding them 
up to scorn, contempt, and ridicule, as Mr. Hill often did, 
comparing the churches to spiritual mad-houses (!) he would 
have thrown the mantle of love over what he considered 
a failing, and tendered that apology for them which he well 
knew how to do when it fell in with his inclination. But here 
his own bigotry flamed forth with a vengeance, and he was 
ready to anathematize them with bell, book, and candle! and 
this is the true and genuine spirit of that Catholic charity 
which is so much cried up in the religious world, and for 
which Mr. Hill clamoured so loudly. 

I am here reminded of some observations on the subject 
under consideration, which were submitted to the public, by a 
Poedobaptist writer of the last century; and they are so 
pertinent and just, that though the passage be somewhat long, 
I shall not scruple to insert it in this place; and I am the 
more inclined to do it from the consideration that the pamphlet 
from which I quote has long been out of print, and is now so 
scarce, that a copy of it is not to be procured at any price* 

* following is the title of the pamphlet referred to— " Strictures 
on Modem Simony and the Crime of Simon Magus ; or an Enquiry into 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



301 



The author has been taking a review of the setting up of 
Christ's kingdom in the world, by the preaching of the Apostles 
on the day of Pentecost, and collecting the converts in Jerusa- 
lem into a church state, with the ordinances of public worship 
which they statedly attended to — from which he proceeds to 
contrast with it what commonly prevailed among the dissent- 
ing churches of his own day. Thus he proceeds. 

The want of that unity in the faith, hope, and love of the 
truth which appeared so strikingly among the apostolic 
churches, "is now supplied by the Catholic charity, which 
resembles the charity commended by Paul, in only this one 
circumstance, that it groweth exceedingly in most of the 
churches. Among the stricter sort, it goes chiefly under the 
name of Forbearance. We shall be much mistaken if we 
think that, by this soft and agreeable word, is chiefly meant 
the tenderness and compassion inculcated by the precepts of 
Jesus Christ and his Apostles. It strictly means an agree- 
ment to differ quietly, about the doctrines and commandments 
of the Gospel without interruption of visible fellowship. They 
distinguish carefully between fundamentals^ or things neces- 
sary to be believed and practised; and circumstantials, or 
things that are indifferent. Now whatever foundation there 
may be for such a distinction in human systems of religion, it 
certainly looks very ill-becoming in the churches of Christ to 
question how far He is to be believed and obeyed. Our 



Mr. Madan's Account of Simony, in his late Answer to the Faithful 

Narrative of Facts relating to the Presentation of Mr. H 's [afterwards 

the celebrated Dr. Haweis] to the rectory of Aldwinkle in Northampton- 
shire : tending to show the fallacy of his reasoning upon the Ecclesiastical 
Laws ; and the error of his conscience concerning the Sanctity of Eccle- 
siastical Preferments : with various Observations on the Kingdom of 
the Clergy, comparing it with the Kingdom of Jesus Christ." London, 
1767. 

The facts which occasioned the writing of this pamphlet have long 
since sunk into oblivion, and are not now worth reviving — but they 
reflect indelible disgrace on the memory of a renowned LL. D. who took 
an active part in the affairs of the London Missionary Society ! : 



302 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



modern churches have not indeed quite settled this matter; 
but they have nearly agreed to hold all those things indifferent 
which would be inconvenient and disreputable, and to have 
communion together, in observing somewhat like the customs 
of their forefathers. 

" Many of the plainest sayings of Jesus Christ and the 
Apostles are treated with high contempt by the advocates oi 
this forbearance ; such as the rule of [dealing with] offences, 
in Matt. ch. xviii. the prohibition concerning treasuring up 
riches on earth, in Matt. v. and elsewhere ; the imitation of 
Christ's humility and kindness, enjoined in John, xiii. ver. 14, 
15. These, and various other things, held sacred among the 
first Christians, are held even ridiculous among the modern 
professors of religion. The common people are persuaded to 
believe that all the ancient institutions of Christianity were 
merely local and temporary ^ excepting such as the learned 
have agreed to be suitable to these times ; or which have been 
customarily observed by their predecessors. But it would 
well become the Doctors in Divinity to show by what 
authority any injunction of God can be revoked, besides his 
own ; or, how any man's conscience can be lawfully released by 
custom, example, or human authority from observing such things 
as were instituted by the Apostles of Christ in his name, 

" This corrupt forbearance had no allowed place in the 
primitive churches. The apostle in Eph. iv. required of them 
to "adorn their vocation with all lowliness and meekness, 
with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love," But 
had they dispensed with the laws of Christ for convenience and 
ease, it had been forbearing one another in hatred; for 
those laws were expressions of his love — the most fervent love 
that ever was shown among men, directed by infallible wisdom. 
Whosoever therefore would obliterate them, or any how 
attempt to change them, must either suppose himself wise? 
than Jesus Christ, or a greater friend to mankind; he must be 
moved either by an enormous self-conceit^ or by the spirit of 
malevolence. 



REV= ROWLAND HILL. 



303 



" Although the modern charity wears very much the appear- 
ance of humility and good-will to men, yet it stands in direct 
opposition to that love of the truth by which the primitive 
Christians were distinguished; insomuch that, if any such 
churches should now appear as those to whom the sacred 
epistles were directed, they must be content to bear reproach 
as they formerly did, and be hated for their bigotry and 
sectarianism. 

" The more thinking part of religious men, ooserving what 
great mischiefs have arisen from contentions about truth, and 
being, perhaps, a little sceptically inclined, have found it most 
desirable to let truth alone ; and to concern themselves chiefly 
about Xw'rn^ profitably m civil society. To be of some religion 
is but decent ; and the interests of human life require that it 
be popular and compliant. If men have different notions of 
Jesus Christ, his divinity, his sacrifice, his kingdom, and the 
customs of his religion, even from what the apostles seemed to 
have, charity demands that we think well of their religious 
characters, notT\dthstanding this. These are dubious and diffi- 
cult points about which great and good men have differed ! 
It is unbecoming the modesty of wise men to be confident on 
any side; and ' contending earnestly' for opinions injures the 
peace of the Christian church ! Thus kind and humble is 
modern charity. But it looks back with an evil eye on that 
rude sort of kindness with which the followers of Jesus propa* 
gated his Gospel ; presenting to men the most melancholy 
view of their guilt, and leaving them no hope but through 
righteousness perfect and divine. It shudders to hear them 
enforcing his words, and saying, ' He that believeth and is 
baptized shall be saved: he that believeth not shall be 
damned.' But it is comforted by thinking that there were 
many things peculiar to the first ages, and, perhaps, this 
may be one of them. To say the least, the corruptors of 
Cliristianity have much reason to wish so. 

" This prevailing charity stands eminently distinguished 
from that which the Scriptures inculcate, in this respect : the 



304 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



latter encreased in proportion to the unanimity of Christians 
in loving the doctrine of Jesus Christ ; the former encreases in 
proportion to its diffidence and uncertainty about that doctrine. 
Instead of rejoicing in^ or with the truth^ it rejoices in contem- 
plating the admirable 'piety that may be produced from so 
many different, yea, opposite principles ! 

" There has been much reproach cast on the Quakers, for 
their tenacious adherence to their opinions and customs, even 
by those who are in the main very much agreed with them. 
Of what unportance is it how they dress ? They affect plain- 
ness and a sort of uniformity, probably from the same principle 
which has clothed the clergy in black. Affectation, and pride 
in such distinctions, are contemptible in any man ; and much 
more if he attempts to vindicate them by the word of God. 
The experienced persons among the dissenters and the Metho- 
dists, are of one mind with the Quakers in what they all 
esteem the essentials of religion. What imaginable difference 
is there between grace in the hearty which the former admire, 
and the spirit, the light within, which is the great arcanum of 
the latter? They equally mean, the secret operation of 
invisible power making them more acceptable to God, and 
supplying more or less the want of perfect righteousness. 
They agree to call the Scriptures of truth a dead letter. The 
external observances of the Christians are rejected by them 
both as superstitious and carnal, under pretence of cultivating 
the private religion of the heart; as though that religion were 
the better for being kept secret, or like some combustible 
powder, acquired an additional strength by being close pent 
up ! 

" It is very true that the power of godliness has often 
suffered in a zealous contention about rites and ceremonies ; 
but the contention has been chiefly about forms of human 
device. The Christians of old time were taught not to dispute 
about the institutions of their Lord, but to observe them 
thankfully ; and hereby they expressed their affection to him 
and to each other. If that affection is granted to be mors 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



305 



important than the toheiis of it, still it would be unjust to infer 
that the latter have no obligation, which would imply that 
Christ and the Apostles meant nothing by their precepts. 

" The Methodists have not indeed gone so far as their 
spiritual brethren (the Quakers) have done in rejecting all 
external ceremonies ; but they are taught to believe that all 
concern about the ancient order and customs of the Christians 
is mere party-spirit^ and injurious to the devout exercises of 
the heart. Thus the modern charity vaunts itself in answer- 
ing better purposes than could be accomplished by keeping 
the commandments of Christ. It produces a more extensive 
and generous communion ; and animates the devotion of men 
without perplexing them by uncertain doctrines, or rigorous 
self-denial. But however excellent in its effects, it has its 
origin, not in the faith of Jesus Christ, or in love to God, 
but it is the first-born- child of scepticism and infidelity. For 
although it supposes some revelation from God, and some honour 
due to Jesus Christ, it claims a right to dispense with both : 
to choose what in his doctrine and religion is fit to be believed^ 
and observed ; and thus obscures the whole in a mist of uncer- 
tainty. As this charity^ therefore, has become essential to the 
various churches of Dissenters, and the fruits of it abound in 
them, as they do in all the world, we shall be vindicated in 
saying, that Christianity is not visibly exemplified in such 
societies, any more than it is in the national establishments. 

" Upon the whole, the religion of Jesus is not to be under- 
stood but by the sacred writings of the Evangelists and Apos- 
tles ; it is practicable in every age, without a continuance of 
miracles ; for it consists in believing what he has said, and 
doing what he has required. It is, however, understood and 
practised only through the power of the Holy Spirit on the 
hearts of men. They are Christians who are thus taught of 
God to BELIEVE and obey. Those are Christian churches 
which are formed by a persuasion of the truth, and regulated 
by the precepts and examples contained in the New Testa- 
ment." 

X 



306 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



The intelligent reader can be at no loss, it is presumed, to 
perceive how very different is the spirit or strain of doctrine 
insisted on by the authors now quoted, from that which runs 
throuo-h the writings of Mr. Hill on the subject in question. 
The truth is, that the latter, notwithstanding his singular zeal 
about religion, and his incessant labours in preaching the 
Gospel, always manifested the most lamentable blindness 
respecting the nature of Christ's kingdom, and the peculiar 
line of conduct to which he calls all his subjects in order to 
manifest their allegiance to Him, their rightful Sovereign, 
whose they are, and who purchased them by his blood. Mr. 
Hill was sufficiently acquainted with his Bible to know, that 
an awful apostacy from the faith and purity of the Christian 
profession, to take place in the latter days, or under the 
Gospel dispensation, was foretold in ancient prophecy, and 
that it came to pass accordingly, being consummated in the 
usurpations, idolatries, and abominations of the Church of 
Rome, and other established churches in communion with her. 
That he was perfectly aware of this, is manifest from various 
parts of his writings, and that the Church of England was 
" particeps criminis,'^ one of the unchaste daughters of the 
" Babylonian Harlot" could scarcely be concealed from his 
view. The exposure which he has made of her filthiness, in 
his "Sale of Curates," the scandalous traffick which is 
continually taking place in her for the "loaves and fishes," 
and of which he seems to have been perfectly ashamed, affords 
ample proof of the truth of what has now been said. But how 
could he overlook the fact, that the corruption of Christianity 
commenced with a departure from the instituted order of the 
house of God, and that it ended in treading under foot the 
holy city during the long period of 1260 years 1 This was the 
period allotted in the mysterious counsels of heaven, for the 
reign of Anti-christ, the man of sin, the son of perdition; that 
" wicked one whom the Lord is now consuming with the 
spirit of his mouth, and will utterly destroy with the brightness 
of his coming." The mystery of iniquity began to work even in 



RRV. HOW LAND HILL. 



307 



the Apostles' days, and it increased by little and little, " evil 
men and seducers waxing worse and worse, deceiving and 
being deceived." The simple doctrines of the Gospel were at 
an early period corrupted and darkened by vain philosophy, 
mysticism, and error. The primitive church-government 
became exchanged for the lordly dominion of diocesan and 
metropolitan bishops. The ordinances of Gospel- worship were 
perverted from their original intention, and mingled with 
abundance of superstition and human invention, until the 
profession of Christianity became so corrupt, in the days of 
Constantine the Great, a. d. 325, that it was made the religion 
of the Roman Empire, and formed an unnatural aUiance with 
the State. Until that time the religion of Christ had never 
known what it was to have a legal establishment in the world; 
on the contrary, it was every where, and almost incessantly 
the object of persecution. It was propagated by means of the 
preaching of the Gospel, and the disciples were collected into 
churches, to observe the ordinances of public worship which 
the apostles had instituted in Christ's name. The only scrip- 
tural office-bearers were Elders and Deacons, and these were 
the servants of the churches ; the former, by office, to labour 
in the ministry of the word, maintain rule and order, and 
preside in all the affairs of discipline ; the latter to attend to 
the secular affairs of each society, serve tables, or administer 
the church's bounty. And so far were these offices then from 
being objects of competition, as ministering to worldly ambi- 
tion, that the individuals filling them were always placed in 
the foremost rank of sufferers from their merciless persecutors. 
But let us hear the learned Mosheim's account of the primitive 
churches and their bishops or presbyters. 

" Let none confound the bishops [overseers, elders, or 
presbyters, for they are all one in reality] of this primitive 
or golden period of the church, says he, with those of whom 
we read in the following ages. For though they were both 
designated by the same name, yet they differed exceedingly 
in many respects. A bishop, during the first and second 

X 2 



308 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



centuries, was a person who had the care of one Christian 
assembly, which at that time, v/as, generally speaking, small 
enough to be contained in a private house. In this assembly 
he acted not so much with the authority of a master, as with 
the zeal and diligence of a faithful servant. The churches, 
also, in those early times, were entirely independent;^ none of 
them subject to any foreign jurisdiction, but each of them 
governed by its own rulers, and its OAvn laws [rather the laws 
of Christ, to whom alone they owned subjection]. Nothing is 
more evident than the perfect equality that reigned among the 
primitive churches ; nor does there ever appear, in the first cen- 
tury, the smallest trace of that association of provincial churches 
from which councils and metropolitans derive their origin." 

So far Dr. Mosheim: to which T add, that in the beginning 
of the fourth century, and when, under the auspices of Constan- 
tine, Christianity became the handmaid of the State, the scene 
changed — outward persecution ceased — the clergy were no 
longer called to suffer the hatred of the world, but, on the 
contrary, those who ought to have been the servants of the 
church for Jesus sake, began to be its lords and masters, in 
direct opposition to the Saviour's own command, and the 
example of his holy apostles. Christianity, having thus become 
" part and parcel of the law of the land," must now change 
her attire, in order that she may with dignity fill the throne of 
her discarded rival— Paganism. The clergy must raise their 
heads, extend their views, and become "lords over God's 
heritage." The simple institutions of the Gospel are found 
altogether unsuitable to this new order of things. Instead of 
meeting in a school, or upper room, or private house, magnifi- 
cent temples must be built, and a hierarchy of ecclesiastics, 
descending from metropolitans, archbishops, and bishops, 
throu2:h the various gradations of ecclesiastical dignity down 
to presbyters and deacons, must be appointed to officiate at 
their altars. A spirit of innovation now rages of course — 
superstition opens all her paltry treasures— ignorance erects 
her leaden throne— the doctrines of the Gospel are more and 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



309 



more corrupted in order to render tliem palatable to worldly 
minds, and its institutions mutilated — offices hitherto unknown 
are invented, and filled by a race of ecclesiastics under names 
and characters as foreign to Christian institution as that of a 
magician or a soothsayer ; and to all this they are pleased to 
give the name of Christianity* ! And now all that refuse 
submission to this " mystery of iniquity," all that refuse to 
worship the beast or his image, the mystical virgins of the 
apocalypse, who are said to keep the commandments of God 
and the faith of Jesus," are treated as " the filth of the world 
and ofF-scouring of all things." These were the sectarians 
and bigots of former ages, whose history may be traced from 
the days of Cyprian to those of Rowland Hill ; but it is written 
in blood! They have ever been the objects of scorn, contempt, 
persecution, and malignity on account of their " narrow-mind- 
edness" and their tenacious adherence to positive law and 
apostolic precedent. But they have been supported under the 
load of obloquy heaped upon them by the friends of catholic 
charity, in the testimony of a good conscience, a conviction of 
the rectitude of their conduct, the example of the noble army 
of martyrs, " who loved not their lives unto the death," and 
the standing maxim of the kingdom of heaven, " we ought to 
obey God rather than man." 

Should any persons be of opinion that I have dwelt too 
largely on this particular topic, my apolog); is, that no indivi- 
dual of the age has done so much to inculcate latitudinarian 
sentiments on the topics of Christian discipline and church 
order, as the subject of this Memoir. Both in his conduct and 
his writings he laboured incessantly to remove the ancient 
land-marks of the kingdom of heaven, denying the existence 
of any statute law, any prescribed formula, or precedent in the 
example of the first churches that was of binding obligation on 
those of succeeding generations, and to the utmost of his 



* See Ecclesiastical History, in a Course of Lectures by the Author 
of this Memoir, Vol. I., Lect. xx. 



310 



MEMOIRS OF TH£ 



power throwing every thing loose that pertained to the order 
of the house of God. Against this part of Mr. Hill's conduct 
I feel myself imperiously called upon to bear a pointed testi- 
mony because of its pernicious influence. I am fully persuaded 
that we have in the New Testament the will of our ascended 
Sovereign clearly revealed, respecting the constitution, order, 
worship, and discipline of his churches, and that the whole 
difficulty which is complained of by Mr. Hill and others, of 
ascertaining that rule, is to be resolved into the darkness ot 
the human mind, arising from prejudice and error, and a 
disinclination to sacrifice these to the wisdom of God. Truly, 
it was not without reason an apostle has said, " If any man 
among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become 
a fool, that he may be wise ; for the wisdom of this world is 
foolishness with God. The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the 
wise that they are vain." And it would not be easy to adduce 
an instance in which this will be found to hold good to a 
greater extent than in their attempting to improve upon the 
instituted order of Christ's house. But the reason of all such 
attempts is sufficiently manifest. Wherever the teachers of 
religion have thought proper to depart from the example of the 
primitive churches, it has been to gratify some principle in 
depraved human nature which ought to have been mortified ; 
either the pride, avarice, and ambition of the clergy, or the 
self-indulgence and worldly-mindedness of the people. " The 
prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their 
means, and the people love to have it so." 

As to the singular econom}' of ecclesiastical affairs at Surrey 
Chapel, it would be difficult to apply a more appropriate 
epithet to it than that which Bishop Horsley made use of 
when he pronounced it " NondescriftP It was a constitution 
of things entirely of human devising; the Liturgical part 
borrowed, at second hand, from the Roman Missal ; and it is 
not a little amusing to observe in his writings how full of 
admiration Mr. Hill was of it, holding up, as the paragon of 
excellence, what the late Mr. Hall of Leicester, who unhap- 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



pily for a short time was, in a measure, compelled to attend 
upon it, with all his candour and liberality became so weary of, 
from the formal repetitions and attendant circumstances, that 
he felt compelled to retire, saying that " if he had not been a 
dissenter before, he should be one now, and continue a dissenter 
to all eternity I have sometimes thought that Mr. Hill's 
scheme of things at Surrey Chapel might serve as an illustration 
of the meaning of the apostle Paul, in that somewhat difficult 
part of his writings, 1 Cor. ili. 11-15. In his preaching Mr 
Hill uniformly held forth Jesus Christ as the alone and 
exclusive foundation of a sinner's hope towards God; but, 
alas, what ''wood, hay, and stubble" did he build upon thai 
foundation! Instead of bringing the disciples mto that 
church-state, in which they might grow up from babes to 
young men, and from young men to fathers in Christ Jesus, 
which is one leading end of their union-directing them to 
" the work of faith and labour of love, and patience of hope, 
in our Lord Jesus Christ," he seemed to consider that every 
thing was accomplished when they were brought to confess 
their faith in the Son of God-their belief of the Gospel. 
But how different from this is the doctrine of the great prophet 
of the Christian church in the parable of the sower ! Matt. xiii. 
We find him dividing the hearers of the word into four 
classes, of which only one brought fruit unto perfection, 
though two other classes bade equally fair at the outset: see 
ver. 18—23. The generality of professed Christians place 
their religion mostly in hearing sermons: they regularly 
attend the places of public worship, or perhaps run from place 
to place, not to worship, but gratify itching ears. In this 
they may possibly find some entertainment, or a transient 
gratification, but it is not that of the children of God, who 
desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow 
thereby. The case of many modern professors resembles that 
of ancient Israel, of whom it is said, "They come unto thee 



See his Life by Morris, p. 195. 



S12 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, 
and they hear thy words, but they will not do them ; for with 
their mouth they show much love, but their heart g-oeth after 
their covetousness : and lo, thou art unto them as a very 
lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play 
well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do 
them not," Ezek. xxxiii. 31, 32. The entire routine of things 
at Surrey Chapel was adapted to encourage and foster this 
mistaken view of matters. And in this way I consider Mr. 
Hill to have spent his years in building wood, hay, and 
stubble upon the foundation. Let us hope that though his 
work should be burned up, yet thathe himself shall be saved, 
though it were "so as by tire." 

A Christian church, formed upon the model of those men- 
tioned in the New Testament, and to which the apostolic 
epistles were addressed, is the school of Christ, and intended 
by him to train up his disciples in meetness for the heavenly 
state. Every thing that takes place among them, whether 
prosperous or adverse, afflictive or joyous, draws their atten- 
tion to the Bible, which thus serves " for doctrine, reproof, 
correction, and instruction in righteousness." They are led 
to examine it upon all occasions, as the only authentic and 
infallible guide and directory in their affairs, and thus they 
learn more of its real import and meaning in one year than 
they would during a whole life in any other state. 

Mr. Hill, in his last moments, was questioned by his chap- 
lain, " if he could see his personal interest in Christ V And 
what was his reply ? "I can see more of the personal glory 
of Christ, than of my own interest in him." And, at another 
time, " God is letting me down gently into the grave. I feel 
myself poor, weak, and sinful, and desire to creep into heaven 
through some crevice in the door * " Now this is precisely 
what the New Testament would lead us to expect from a 
person in Mr. Hill's situation. For though a knowledge of 



* Funeral Sermon by the Rev. George Weight, p. 35. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



313 



a personal interest in Christ be attainable by the children of 
(}od while in this world, it may be fairly and justly questioned 
whether any one ever did satisfactorily attain it, in the way 
Mr. Hill proceeded. As there is only one way of escape 
from the wrath to come, viz. by taking refuge, hy faith ^ under 
the atoning blood of the Son of God ; so there is only one 
revealed way of attaining the assurance of hope, or a know- 
ledge of our personal interest in Christ, and that is by 
giving diligence (in the work of faith and labour of love) to 
make our calling and election sure, by adding to our faith, 
virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly- 
kindness, and charity," 2 Pet. i. 10, 11. The apostle Paul 
had no hesitation in saying of the Thessalonians that he knew 
their election of God; but on what grounds did he deduce 
this favourable conclusion ? Why because his Gospel did 
not come unto them in word only, but in power — in the Holy 
Spirit, and in much assurance — they became followers of the 
Lord and of his apostles, having received the word in much 
affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit," 1 Thess. i. 3—6. 
They were turned to God from idols to serve the living and 
true God, and wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised 
from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the 
wrath to come," ver. 9, 10. The Gospel, as preached by the 
apostles, they received, not as the word of men, but as it is in 
truth the word of God, and it wrought e^edually in them, 
believing it : for they " became followers of the churches of 
God which in Judea were in Christ Jesus, suffering the like 
things of their own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews," 
ch. ii. 13, 14. In this way the apostle proceeds throughout 
his first epistle, bearing the most honourable testimony to 
the effects which the Gospel had upon them, particularly in 
arming them with patience and fortitude to endure affliction, 
and causing them to increase and abound in love one towards 
another — the great proof of their having passed from death 
unto life, 1 John iii. 14. 

But were the effects of the Gospel equally conspicuous m 



314 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



the conduct of Mr. Hill ? On the contrary, we see him ail his 
life-time trammelled with Antichristian abominations — not fol- 
lowing the Lord fully, so as to take part with Christ's despised 
disciples, but halting between two opinions, on matters of 
vital interest in Christianity — ^labouring to uphold a system 
ao-ainst which the vials of the wrath of heaven are pouring 
out. In the very nature of things this must darken his 
evidences of personal interest in the Saviour. Christ, before 
he left the world, promised to bestow the Holy Spirit, the 
Comforter, upon his churches, to guide them into all truth, 
and to be with them for ever, supplying the want of his own 
personal presence — pouring into the hearts of his children the 
love of God — giving them sweet manifestations of his favour, 
and sealing them to the day of redemption. But these enjoy- 
ments, or spiritual refreshments, are only to be partaken of by 
the disciples, in the way of an unreserved obedience to the 
revealed will of God— for so runs the record. " He that hath 
my commandments and heepeih them, shall be loved of my 
Father, and I will love him; and we will come unto him and 
make our abode with him." " If ye know these things, 
happy are ye if ye do them." " Blessed are they that do his 
commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, 
and may enter in through the gates into the city." From 
these and many other portions of Scripture which I might 
quote, it is abundantly manifest that the assurance of hope, or 
a knowledge of personal interest in the Saviour, is only to be 
obtained in the way oi faith working hy love, and so influencing 
the believer to " observe all things whatsoever Christ has 
commanded:" for " this is the love of God that we keep his 
commandments," 1 John, v. 3. To suppose that any pro- 
fessor of the faith, though he might preach with the eloquence 
of an angel, who should presume to legislate for Christ in the 
afikirs of his church or kingdom— treating with lightness and 
contempt any one of the primitive practices, and teaching 
others to do so, should at the same time be favoured with 
those divine manifestations which are peculiar to the assurance 



REV ROWLAND HILL. 



315 



of hope, is in effect to stultify a great part of divine revela- 
tion. Yet such is the mistaken notion of thousands of pro- 
fessors in our day. 

Now, though it were ridiculous to think of moving the ear 
of Mr. Hill by any remarks of the kind now tendered, there 
are many of his professed admirers still living, into whose 
hands these printed pages may come, to whom they may 
nevertheless be serviceable, in leading them to look into the 
subject, and compare them with the word of God. A dispo- 
sition to make light of the instituted order of Chi'ist's house, 
is the besetting evil of the present day, and few men have 
contributed more to it than Rowland Hill. Even the dissenting 
churches are settled upon their lees — and too much disposed 
to follow the traditions of the elders," instead of bringing 
their customs and usages to the light of the New Testament, 
and regulating their affairs by the Scripture standard. 

What, by an incongruous association of terms, is called the 
religious or Christian tvorld^hdiS been wonderfully taken up of 
late years with flourishing accounts of the revivals of religion; 
and it is truly amusing to witness what an effect such reports 
are apt to have, even upon persons who, in the ordinary affairs 
of life, pay little or no regard to the bible. It matters not 
much how vague such representations may be, or how little 
entitled to credit ; the bare idea of a " flourishing cause" 
will give an impetus to the sluggard and most worldly minded. 
Hence the promptness, so obvious in our day, to follow the 
multitude, and flock in crowds to listen to vociferation and 
rant. Our blessed Lord, who well knew what was in man, did 
not overlook this trait in depraved human nature, and fre- 
quently warned his disciples against it. " The kingdom of 
God," saith he, " cometh not with observation," that is, with 
outward show, and pomp, and bluster. "When they shall 
say, Lo here, and lo there — go not after them, nor follow 
them," Luke xvii. 20, 23. These wonderful revivals were 
prudently said to have commenced in America, and as they 
became in process of time, so popular a topic in our own 



816 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



country, gracing many a speech from the platform, and 
infusing interest into many a sermon from the pulpit and the 
press, tlie writer of these remarks determined to satisfy him- 
self as to what degree of credit such imposing statements 
were entitled, and fortunately an easy clue was afforded him 
of doing it. An intelligent friend, who had resided many 
years in New York, in the capacity of a merchant, and was a 
member of a Baptist church there, came over to England 
with his family, and settled in London some ten years since. 
His business made it necessary for him, however, to return to 
New York, three or four years ago, at w^hich time he also 
visited all the principal tow^ns in the United States. On his 
return to London I hastened to congratulate him on the 
" glorious events which were in progress" beyond the Atlan- 
tic! He looked somewhat surprised, and begged me to 
explain. Oh, said I, it is the wonderful revivals of religion 
that have taken place there. "Revivals of religion," said 
he, "'tis the first I have heard of it ; I spent three months in 
America, and besides New York, I was at Philadelphia, Bal- 
timore, Boston, and various other places, mingling among the 
religious people in each of them ; but the subject of a revival 
of religion I do not remember to have been once mentioned. 
If there be any truth in the report, the thing must have been 
confined to the hack settlements^ which I did not visit ! ! 

I am aware that since that time, a vigorous effort has 
been made by ministers and others, in different parts of the 
United States, to create an artificial excitement by resorting 
to means somewhat similar to those that were common among 
the Methodists in this country some twenty or thirty years 
ago, and more recently among the Ranters and Revivalists ; 
but I suspect the whole has been a mere " flash-in -the- pan !" 
A smoke was raised, and our dissenting ministers in England 
endeavoured to fan it into aflame, but I apprehend the effort has 
proved abortive. That the Lord has his people in the vast 
Western Continent, and that they are abundant in number, is 
a pleasing reflection ; but amidst all their zeal for relit^ion 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



317 



aTid display of large congregations and cliurclies, can there be 
a more striking and heart-rending proof of the little progress 
which Chrisfs kingdom has yet made among them, than 
arises from the fact, that, to this day, the ivhite population 
'positively refuse to communicate at the Lord's table with their 
sable brethren 1 This appalling fact is but little known in 
England, where it is to be hoped there are not many of the 
dissentino: churches that Avould countenance it ^. But what 
estimate can we form of the state of religion in a country 
where the very same distinctions are kept up in the kingdom 
of Christ, which obtain in the kingdoms of this world ? Oh, 
let us not be imposed upon by specious and high-sounding 
reports of x^merican revivals, while such a Brahminical caste 
is suffered to exist among the churches. The first religious 
intelligence from that quarter, that can be worthy of our 
regard, must be, that this odious distinction no longer exists. 
CoL iii. 11. 

Before we take a final leave of these revivals of religion, I 
crave permission to add, that it was with inexpressible satis- 
faction I perused at that time, a Sermon which was preached 
at Camberwell, on Lord's-day, January the 4th, 1829, by the 
late judicious William Orme, expressly on this subject. 
The sermon was reported in the " World" newspaper of 
Wednesday, January 21st, following, and afterwards reprinted 
in a separate form. The preacher took for his text, Acts ii. 
42 — 47, "Then they that gladly received the word, were 
baptized, and the same day there were added unto them about 



* A few years ago, a very respectable dissenting minister, who now 
resides in a large manufactiu-ing town in one of our midland counties, 
rendered almost enthusiastic by the monthly reports of American revivals, 
l\ad nearly made up his mind to remove his family across the Atlantic. 
Providentially, the fact above-mentioned was communicated to him, and 
it operated on him like an electric shock. "What," said he, "the 
brethren in Christ refusing to commemorate his dying love at the same 
table, merely on account of a difference of complexion !" And from that 
moment he abandoned all thoughts of going to America. 



318 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



three thousand souls : and they continued steadfastly in the 
Apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread 
and in prayers, &c." 

Having glanced at the then recent reports from America, 
and [expressed his best wishes that they might prove well 
founded, the preacher brought the subject home to the con- 
sideration of his hearers or readers, and pointed out to them 
the proper improvement they should make of it, at the com- 
mencement of a new year. " A revival of religion," says he, 
" supposes either that religion has fallen into decay, or that it 
has not reached that vigour and elevation to which it might be 
expected to arrive. In both senses it is a phrase of a compara- 
tive nature. It also implies that there is some standard or 
period with which we are disposed to compare " the present 
line of things." And therefore, before we can speak intelli- 
gibly on the subject, we must have a correct idea of the 
standard by which the nature a-nd degree of religious feeling 
and attainment should be tried. Without this, every thing 
must be vague stnd indefinite. Instruction will be unsatis- 
factory, reproof and admonition administered at random, and 
exhortation and excitement, however well intended, either miss 
their aim, or produce only general impressions, indefinite in 
their nature, and temporary in their duration. It is my 
conviction that the state of religion in the mass of its professors 
requires to be revived and re-invigorated, brought back to tlie 
primitive standard, and increased to the apostolic fervour. 

" My idea of the balance in which we ought to weigh 
ourselves," says Mr. Orme, " will at once be ascertained from 
the passage chosen as the subject of this discourse. It contains 
the first account written by the pen of inspiration, of the eftects 
of the gospel on the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, imme- 
diately after the dispensation of the Spirit, which followed the 
ascension of our Lord. What the gospel was at the beginning, 
that it is now, and evermore shall be, world without end. Its 
effects on the men who first received it, were most powerful 
and salutary; their enjoyments appeared in their character, 



REV, ROWLAND HILL. 



319 



and their characters re-acted on their enjoyments. As they 
received, they lived; their hves evinced the reality and power 
of their principles ; and as their principles were displayed and 
acted upon, the word of the Lord had free course and was 
glorified. 

" I have chosen this passage," says the preacher, " because 
it contains one of the most beautiful pictures of religion which 
is any where presented in the word of God. It places before 
us a company of sinful mortals hearing the doctrine of salva- 
tion from the lips of the apostles, and gladly receiving that 
doctrine as a message of mercy and eternal life ; uniting 
together, on their reception of this message, to walk in obedi- 
ence to the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, at 
once for their own benefit, and for the profit of many that they 
might be saved; discovering a spirit of the most delightful 
union and fellowship with each other, and displaying an almost 
boundless generosity; experiencing a gladness of soul, a 
hilarity of mind springing from the conscious favour of God, 
and the hope of his glory, in combination with a highly 
devoted devotion which evinced the sanctity of their joy, and 
was powerfully calculated to recommend their faith to others* 
Oh ! it was such a scene 

" As earth saw never, 
Such as heaven stooped down to see." 

The preacher then proceeds to comment on the more promi- 
nent features which characterized the religious profession of 
the primitive Christians — its heavenly nature; they knew 
nothing of Christianity but as it was taught them from above ; 
the apostles announced to them heaven's mercy and heaven's 
deliverance from impending misery ; and this led 3000 "gladly 
to receive the word of the apostles." It came not to them 
through any polluted channel of conveyance : the gospel which 
they heard, sounded in their ears as the voice of God : its call 
was the invitation of an unveiled heaven full of attraction and 
full of glory. Its command was the authoritative mandate of 



320 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



Him whose word is his law, unbroken and unsoftened by the 
instrument of its communication; it told upon their hopes 
like the music of heaven, and upon their fears like the shrieks 
of the damned. To them the gospel came not in word only, 
but in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and much assurance. 
When they first heard it, they were pricked in their hearts ; 
when they believed it, they were filled with joy, and their joy 
no man could take away from them. 

It is easy to perceive, says Mr. Orme, that there is a vast 
difference between receiving religion in this manner and 
experiencing its heavenly power, unclogged and unaided by 
any earthly circumstances, and taking it up as a profession, or 
embracing it as a system of opinions. The primitive Christians 
had nothing to recommend Christianity to them but its own 
intrinsic suitableness and glory. They were not prepared for 
its reception either by Judaism or Gentilism, or the state of 
things existing around them. All their hereditary prejudices, 
their established habits, their prevailing opinions, were unfa- 
vourable to its reception and its influence. AVlien it operated 
upon Jews, it delivered them from their vain conversation 
received by tradition from their fathers ; and when it operated 
on Gentiles, it turned them from dumb idols to serve the living 
and the true God. To accomplish such a change, the power 
of Omnipotence was required; and when that was once felt, 
nothing could prevent its full effect. In whatever point of 
view they contemplated this new economy, divinity was 
stamped upon it. The doctrines of the gospel were divine, and 
therefore worthy of implicit belief Its laws were divine, and 
consequently entitled to unreserved obedience. Its promises 
were divine, and therefore worthy of unqualified confidence. 
Its institutions were divine, and therefore entitled to the 
highest respect. They had one Saviour, and one Master — but 
he was Jesus — God over all, and blessed for evermore, conse- 
quently worthy of their supreme and undivided gratitude and 
homage. 

After some further pertinent observations, the preacher 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



321 



proceeds to notice a second feature in the religious profession 
of these primitive disciples ; viz. " The conscientious observ- 
ance of the public ordinances appointed by the Lord for the 
benefit of his church"— they continued steadfastly in the apos- 
tle's doctrine and fellowship, and " in breaking of bread and in 
prayers." And here I particularly request the reader's atten- 
tion to the following remarks, because they are so completely 
subversive of the principle of Mr. Hill, which I formerly 
quoted, namely, that the wisdom of God " determined nothing 
precisely" regarding the order of public worship to be observed 
in the churches of Christ— that we are left to " general rules" 
to direct us as circumstances might demand; in short, "that 
there is no law, consequently no transgression." Now hear 
Mr, Orme on this subject. 

" I agree with those who consider this passage as affording 
a description of the stated public ordinances observed by the 
first Christian church, and in which we have a pattern which 
ought to he imitated by all churches. The apostle's doctrine is 
the public teaching of the church, then of course conducted by 
the apostles of Christ. The fellowship, as distinguished from 
the other things, is the contribution for the poor, which then 
constituted a regular part of the engagement (or exercises) of 
the first day of the week. The breaking of bread is the ordi- 
nance of the Lord's Supper, which beyond all controversy was 
then regularly observed every Lord's day; thus conjoining 
together the ordinances commemorative of the death and 
resurrection of the Saviour. The prayers are the other 
devotional parts of public worship. These sacred institutions 
belong to the very substance of our religion, and the proper 
and conscientious observance of them enters deeply into the 
enjoyment and practice of Christianity. They constitute the 
aliment of the Christian life, and on their being properly 
administered and properly used, depend, under the blessing of 
God, the healthy state of religion in the soul. Their great 
objects are, to supply an increase of knowledge to the disciples, 
on all the points of doctrine, practice, and comfort which their 

Y 



322 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



diversified circumstances require. To keep up by public 
association and animated address, that excitement and fervour 
which are in danger of being lost in the bustle and business ol 
the world. To counteract that tendency to selfishness, worldly- 
mindedness, and unconcern about the good of others which are 
so natural to fallen creatures even in a redeemed state. To 
afford opportunity for the exercise of the various gifts and 
talents bestowed upon the members of the church by its Great 
Head, by the due employment of which the strong help the 
weak, the rich assist the poor, the enlightened instruct the 
ignorant ; so that they who have much have nothing over, 
and they who have little experience no lack. 

" The suitableness of this wise and gracious arrangement is 
such, that Christianity has been invariably found to flourish as 
these ordinances have been purely dispensed, and as invariably 
to decline where they have been corrupted or neglected. The 
believers at Jerusalem ' continued steadfastly' in these ordi- 
nances ; that is, they observed them in the most conscientious 
and persevering manner. It did not occur to them that they 
were at liberty to observe or neglect them, as their humour, or 
caprice, or convenience might dictate. They did not suppose 
for a moment that they were at liberty to neglect them under 
any circumstances, except those of the most obvious necessity, 
or that they had any right to endeavour to substitute something 
else in their place. Nor did they conceive that they were 
entitled to observe some and neglect others at their own 
pleasure. For instance, that they might go on receiving the 
instructions of the Christian ministry, and join in the public 
worship, but regularly turn their back on the commemorative 
Supper of their Lord. So monstrous a disjunction, however 
common in modern times, never entered into the imagination 
of a primitive believer. He knew and felt it to be his duty 
and his privilege to observe all the ordinances and command- 
ments of the Lord blameless, or as he had received them from 
Christ." 

These sentiments are so entirely in unison with my own 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



323 



upon this important subject, and I may add so wholly at 
variance with those of Messrs. Hill, Jay, and the generality of 
the dissenting ministers of the present day, that I have great 
pleasure in introducing them to the readers' notice in this 
place. Would that it were compatible with my limits to 
insert the whole sermon ; there is no production of Mr. Orme's 
pen more deserving of being handed down to posterity, as a 
vindication of the scriptural order of the house of God, in 
opposition to the traditions and inventions of men. But I 
must refrain, and content myself with a meagre abridgment. 

Commenting on the steadfastness, regularity, and persever- 
ance with which the first Christians observed the ordinances of 
the Lord's house, he adds, "How different is all this, my brethren, 
from the desultory, irregular, capricious conduct of many who 
now say, ' Lord, Lord,' but who in these respects do not the 
things which he commands. Of the principles of Christian 
fellowship, they seem to be as ignorant as if the subject had 
never been mentioned in the New Testament. Their conduct 
in observing the ordinances of Christ seems to be regulated by 
no fixed or scriptural principle. What they should observe, 
they can scarcely describe. How they should observe what 
they admit to be duty, they can as little tell ; and as to regu- 
larity and perseverance, it would seem as if conscience had 
nothing to do with the matter. The most trifling occurrence 
is sufficient to disconcert their attendance with the people of 
God, and the enjoyment of the most important privileges 
which belong to our present state. The attractions of an 
ephemeral popularity ; the solicitations or intrusions of friend- 
ship; the trifling inconveniences of local circumstances; the 
changes of the weather, a hundred such things, of which one 
feels ashamed to speak ; reproaching as they do, the effeminacy 
of tlie age, or its want of principle ; all shew that the high 
standard of primitive piety is little understood, and fully 
account for the selfishness and imbecility which the Christian 
character too frequently presents." 

Referring to the spirit of union and love which animated 

Y 2 



324 



MEMOIKS OF THE 



them in all their conduct to each other," and which is inti- 
mated in the words, " the multitude who believed were of one 
heart and one soul," Mr. Orme says, " this hallowed com- 
munion of hearts and souls, appeared in the preference which 
they discovered for each other's society, to that of all around 
them. Their friends and companions were not the men of the 
world, the fascinations of whose manners and talents operated 
upon them as a charm. They were not their friends and 
relatives destitute of the knowledge and power of religion. 
They were not exclusively the men of their own rank and class 
in society among Christians. There were no castes among the 
early believers; no impassable lines of demarcation separating 
the grades into which they were divided : there was then no 
religious aristocracy distinct from the general community of 
the faithful : the body was one, and the members of it, 
however many, all felt that they belonged to each other; 
there was no schism in it, for all the members cared for one 
another. This delightful union appeared in acting rather than 
in speaking ; in taking part with each other when called to 
suffer in a common cause. The vivid perceptions which they 
had of the infinite importance of that salvation of which they 
were common partakers, naturally led them to regard each 
other with feelings of the most peculiar and powerful kind. 
They loved each other for the truth's sake, which dwelt in 
them, and which they trusted would abide in them for ever. 
In the display which that truth furnished of the matchless love 
of God to guilty men, they found a reason for loving those, 
thus loved of God, more powerfully influential than all the 
considerations which could excite feeling towards the rest of 
their fellow-creatures. Hence they reasoned as well as felt, 
« If God so loved us, we ought to love , one another.' That 
love, they perceived, regarded not the fictitious distinctions of 
society, the claims of birth, or talents, of opulence or rank ; it 
regarded men simply as guilty and wretched. The privileges 
which it provided and the glory which it promised, they savT 
clearly, belonged to all the partakers of the faith of Jesus, a . 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



325 



would be in proportion to the power and influence of that faith 
in whomsoever it was found. They understood that the world 
would shortly pass away, and the glory of it, and that they 
alone who did the will of God should endure for ever ; that 
their companions and associates through eternity should not 
be those most distinguished by their powerful and brilliant 
talents, by their elevated rank, or by any other circumstances 
of an earthly nature, which now recommend men to each other ; 
but their fellow disciples, their friends and brethren in Christ. 
They anticipated the period when the closest and most power- 
ful of mere natural ties should be for ever broken ; when the 
relationships of kindred and consanguinity should be dissolved, 
never again to be restored; when all that constitutes the 
present social compact should be destroyed among those 
earthly elements incapable of forming the combinations of the 
kingdom of heaven : and that then the fathers, and mothers, 
and brethren, and sisters in the gospel, should enjoy together 
the high rewards of the life everlasting. These lofty expecta- 
tions 

* Were far superior to poor hopes 
From ought beneath the skies. And as they saw 
Worth in each other, and the grace of Christ 
Brightening the soul, they did not still disdain 
The thought of meeting them among blest myriads. 
With some peculiar and immortal friendship.' 

" A fourth marked feature of the primitive Christians was 
their abundant liberality: they sold their possessions and 
goods, and parted them as every man had need. That the 
wants of the poor were adequately supplied, is evident on the 
face of the narrative, for there were none among them that 
lacked, and they had, as it werC) all things common. This 
amazing liberality appears to have been exercised principally 
with a view to the sacred cause of the Redeemer. Many of 
those who wished to consecrate themselves to his service, 
parted with their houses and lands, and laid the proceeds at 
the feet of the apostles, that they might thus without the 



r 



026 



MEMOIRS OF THS 



entanglement of the affairs of this life, more effectually promote 
the interests of the kingdom of heaven. The causes of this 
high generosity are to be sought — not in the extraordinary 
wealth of the people, for it was manifest, in many cases, in 
the depth of poverty. They are not to be found in the autho- 
ritative exactions of the apostles; for they left it in a great 
degree to men to act voluntarily in this matter; referring the 
measure or degree of their benevolence to their own con- 
sciences, and the decision of another day. They are not to be 
found in the mere operation of any temporary circumstances 
which have passed away, never to return ; far less are they to 
be sought or found in the spirit of frenzied excitement, in a 
fanaticism for which no adequate or satisfactory reasons can be 
assigned. The whole matter admits of an easy explanation, 
which leaves us not to wonder at the liberality of early times, 
but at the penuriousness of our ownl The first disciples 
regarded themselves as bought with the precious blood ot 
Christ, to be his servants and friends for ever. They therefore 
conceived that they were not their own, but the Lord's 
property. From him they had received all they possessed, as 
its oriofinal owner and mver : a second time it had been made 
his, by the most costly purchase. To use it therefore for him, 
and not for themselves alone, they considered they were bound 
in justice and in gratitude. The most profitable way in which 
they could invest this world's good, they were convinced, was 
by embarking it in the Saviour's cause, and devoting it to the 
advancement of the Saviour's glory. In this way they knew 
what was as two should be made five, and what was as five 
should become ten. That in the day when the stewardship 
must be surrendered, the consolation would not be found in 
reflecting on the amount that had been spent in adorning the 
body, in gratifying the lusts of the flesh, and the pride of life ; 
in having lived in splendour, and died in glory ; but in having 
ministered to the wants of the saints, relieved the prisoner, 
cherished the orphan and the widow; and abounded in the 
works of faith and labours of love which recommended the 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



Gospel, and told the preciousness of a Saviour's love to many. 
They were convinced that all on earth was unsatisfactory and 
perishing ; that in heaven alone was the better and enduring 
substance to be found. The best use, therefore, which they 
could make of the unrighteous mammon was by employing it 
to multiply the friends of Christ, who, when they failed, would 
receive them into everlasting habitations." 

Again : " A fifth feature of primitive Christianity is ' the 
ioy with which it inspired all who came under its influence.' 
It is only necessary to read the New Testament with attention, 
to perceive that this was an uniform effect of the gospel. 
Those who proclaimed it called it glad tidings ; those who 
received it felt it to be so. When ' Philip went down to 
Samaria and preached Christ in it, there was great joy in that 
city.' When he preached to a solitary eunuch in the desert, 
he sent him on ' his way rejoicing.' The disciples who believed 
in Antioch were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. 
And the despairing jailer no sooner received the word of God 
than he rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. Joy 
was not only the invariable effect of the reception of the 
gospel, but their joy was of a kind and degree corresponding 
with the nature of the truth received, and the hope entertained : 
it was altogether spiritual and heavenly in its nature ; hence 
it is called, 'joy in the Holy Spirit' — 'joy in the Lord' — 
*joy in believing, in rejoicing in hope; joy unspeakable and 
full of glory.' It was not a sudden glow of feeling, a transient 
emotion, partaking rather of the nature of passion than of 
sentiment. It was abiding and diffusive in its influence ; the 
effect of a powerful and permanent cause ; it was as lasting as 
it was exquisite, and distinguished from all terrestrial excite- 
ment. It entered into every thing in which the believers 
engaged ; the most common concerns of life, as well as the 
acts of religious worship. They not only praised God, but 
' did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart' 
The gospel, as preached by the apostles, and received by those 
that rejoiced in it, was not a system of fine notions, which 



328 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



pleased the intellect, but could not relieve the labouring heart 
of man, or alter, by its powerful operation, his wretched being. 
It commended itself to him as the medicine of his (corrupt 
and depraved) nature, by subduing the very seed of woe within 
him, and controlling the otherwise uncontrollable power of 
outward events upon him." 

After noticing " the spirituality and devotion of the disciples," 
who were daily with one accord in the temple, praising God, 
Mr. Orme thus winds up this admirable sermon. "The 
circumstances of the first Christians brought God continually 
before them, and rendered his presence indispensable to the 
peace and tranquillity of their minds. Nothing but a high 
spirituality could have sustained them under the privations 
and sufferings they had to endure. Their whole souls were 
thrown into their profession of Christianity, and religion 
became at once the study and business of their lives. They 
prayed without ceasing. In every thing they gave thanks. 
Whether they ate or drank, or whatsoever they did, they did all 
to the glory of God. Thus every occupation and pursuit was 
sanctified, and a sacred consistency of character uniformly 
maintained. They were temples of the Holy Spirit, who 
dwelt in them. They were living sacrifices holy and acceptable 
to God. All this is not only in accordance with the precepts 
of the gospel and consistent with its spirit, but the precise 
state of mind and character which we might expect to arise 
from its principles. Nothing less than this is consistent and 
full toned Christianity. Where a different state of spiritual 
religion obtains, something must be wanting or discordant. 
The consideration of the state of things which has now been 
feebly described, and the comparison of the early and latter 
condition of true religion in the world, must produce the most 
humbling views of ourselves, our attainments, and our enjoy - 
ments. In impressive views of the truth, in devoted attention 
to the ordinances of the kingdom of God, in ardent attach- 
ment to each other in the exercises of generosity and benevo- 
lence, in heavenly joy, and in pure and elevated devotion, 
I 



REV. ROWLAND HILL, 



329 



the generality of the Christians of modern times fall greatly 
below the characters of the primitive believers, and beneath 
what might be expected from the distinguishing privileges 
which they enjoy. Yet it is to this direction we ought to 
endeavour to bring our sentiments, our feelings, and our 
conduct. Nothing but a return to first principles and practices, 
will ever produce those glorious results which attached to the 
profession of the gospel at the beginning. Every revival of 
religion mud he tried by this standard^ and weighed in these 
scales in its nature and effects. As it approaches to., or diverges 
from what the apostles enjoined^ and the consequences of their 
ministry illustrate., it demands our approbation or calls for our 
opposition?^ So far Mr. Orme. 

On this I take leave to remark, that no language could more 
fully express my own sentiments on the subject than that 
which I have now laid before the reader. The model of a 
Christian church, in its constitution, order, discipline, and 
worship, first exhibited in the church of Jerusalem, was divine; 
and it forms the standard, pattern, and example which the 
churches of Christ in every age and nation are called to imi- 
tate. All deviations from it are to be put down to the score of 
the corruptions of Christianity. Those frightful corruptions, 
which, by a gradual process of accumulation, terminated in 
" Babylon" the Great, the mother of harlots and 
ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH," took their rise in the wisdom 
of men attempting to improve upon this divine model, by little 
and little ; in all which they manifested nothing but conceited 
ignorance and the most egregious folly ! Truly has Mr. Orme 
remarked that the church at Jerusalem furnishes the standard 
by which all our revivals in religion must be tried; the value 
of every attempt at reformation must be estimated by its 
approximation to this standard. The Church of England 
takes credit to herself for being the reformed church : but try 
her pretensions by this standard, and Mr. Hill has already 
given us the result in his " Sale of Curates !" The system of 
things pursued at Surrey Chapel, and of which Mr. Hill was 



330 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



SO wonderfully enamoured, professed to be a correction of the 
corruptions of the Church of England ; but let that system be 
tried by the primitive Church of Jerusalem, as illustrated in 
Mr. Orme's sermon, and you are compelled to write upon it 
" Ichabod." It is a mere scheme of human device, the 
product of the wisdom of Rowland Hill, but on which the 
word of God stamps the epithet of folly. How impotent then 
are all his charges of heresy, schism, bigotry, and secta- 
rianism brought against those persons who would reduce the 
profession of Christianity to the Scripture standard! 



SECTION xn. 

MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS, ANECDOTES, AND POSTHUMOUS 
SERMONS. 

It has happened to few individuals in any age or country, 
whatever their rank or station in life may have been, to furnish 
their contemporaries with a richer fund of anecdote than the 
subject of this memoir. Of this, something is to be attributed 
to his own personal singularities, which rendered him a com- 
mon topic of conversation, particularly in the religious circle? 
of the metropolis, but much more to his own fondness foi 
anecdote, and his constant practice of introducing them into 
his sermons by way of illustration or embellishment. His 
natural turn for facetiousness incessantly prompted him to 
indulge in this, while, unfortunately, the habit grew upon him 
to such an extent that it is to be feared it became a succeda- 
neum for what nothing can excuse in a minister of the word, 
namely, preparation for the pulpit. The writer of these 
remarks is well acquainted with an individual who has made it 
his practice, for twenty years or more, to collect and commit 
to writing whatever came in his way, in the shape of anecdote, 
pertaining to Mr. Hill, and should he carry his intention into 



RET. ROWLAND HILL. 331 

execution of submitting the budget to the public, through the 
medium of the press, we shall have a volume far surpassing in 
size the table-talk of Luther or of Selden ! In the mean 
time, it is to be hoped, that some pains will be taken to ascer- 
tain what part is true and what false — to discriminate between 
the genuine and the apocryphal — which is the more needful, 
inasmuch as Mr. Jay assures us that " a thousand things of 
this kind, which have been reported of Mr. Hill, are perfectly 
false." There is reason to believe that many of the anec- 
dotes which he introduced into his sermons of what had 
befallen others, were, through sheer heedlessness and inad- 
vertency on the part of his hearers, placed to his own account. 
Thus, for instance, the well-known and often-repeated story 
of his having been robbed by a foot-pad, whom he next day 
took into his service, and who after living with him twenty 
years, died under his roof, had no foundation in truth as 
applied to Mr. Hill— the thing happened to Dr. Fothergill, 
and was merely related by Mr. Hill, in a funeral sermon 
which he preached on occasion of the death of one of the poor 
of his flock. The same remark will apply to what has found 
its way into the " Georgian Era," and other biographies of 
him, respecting his visiting a poor emaciated creature, 
stretched on a miserable bed in a garret, and without a shirt, 
when he immediately stripped and forced his own upon the 
reluctant invalid— this also wants truth for its basis. A third 
instance of a kindred cast is, that " one night after he had 
been in bed for some hours, he felt an impulse to get up and 
take a walk. Wandering into the Strand, (which, by the 
bye, was entirely out of his beat) he was there accosted by an 
unfortunate woman, with whom he entered into conversation ; 
and finding her, as he thought, weary of her evil course of 
life, and desirous of turning from it, he took her to his house, 
and prevailed upon Mrs. Hill to receive her as a domestic." 
This was first told of the celebrated Edmund Burke, and 
subsequently transferred to Mr. Hill without any authority ! 
1 have already intimated my scepticism respecting his 



3^2 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



making Mrs. Hill the but of his ridicule before the congrega- 
tion in Surrey Chapel, of which there are several instances 
recorded in the " Georgian Era :" these ought not to be 
believed. In the same respectable publication, we are told 
that "instead of a scriptural text, he has been known to 
select, as the subject of his discourse, a newspaper paragraph : 
and that he once commenced a sermon by shouting, ' Matches ! 
Matches ! Matches ! You wonder,' he continued, in his usual 
tone, * at my text ; but this morning, while I was engaged in 
my study, the devil whispered me, Ah, Rowland, your zeal is 
indeed noble ; and how indefatigably you labour for the sal- 
vation of souls ! At that very moment a man passed under 
my window, crying " Matches !" very lustily, and conscience 
said to me, Rowland, Rowland ! you never laboured to save 
souls with half the zeal this man does to sell matches !' " 

Now, how much of this is true, it is difficult to ascertain. 
In all probability, if traced to its origin, it would be found to 
resemble the story of " the three black crows." At any rate, 
if correctly reported, the thing is to be condemned as unworthy 
of a Christian minister; and though it might excite the mirth 
of fools and add to the preacher's popularity among that class 
of hearers, both reason and revelation revolt against such 
pitiful shifts to draw attention. " The bad jokes and undig- 
nified observations which he is said to have uttered from the 
pulpit," says one of his biographers, "are discreditable to 
his judgment, as his strenuous labours for the relief of distress 
are honourable to his heart." Even Mr. Jay admits that 
" his excellent friend had in his composition a considerable 
portion of eccentricity. This, however, he tells us 7iever 
appeared in the subject matter of his preaching; but only 
occasionally in the manner. Into this he was betrayed, not 
only by the singularity of his genius, but his wish to attract 
and strike especially the lower orders, whom he truly thought 
were too much overlooked by many modern preachers, both 
in the Establishment and among Dissenters. He certainly 
did not forget the sanction of Horace with regard to the 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



333 



facetious*. And here, I need not be afraid to say, our 
honoured friend occasionally erred; and 1 have sometimes 
known him acknowledge it afterwards. But this exceedingly 
decreased with growing years and experience f 

Admitting this to be true, it cannot be denied that it was a 
foible which clung to him to the end of his days, and of which 
the sermons that form a part of this volume exhibit proof, if 
any were wanting. The writer of this memoir recollects 
hearing him preach an occasional sermon at Claremont Chapel , 
about two or three winters before his decease, in which, 
adverting to the Socinians, he thus sarcastically apostrophized 
— "They call themselves rational Christians! Rational 
Christians indeed ! The Lord help them — they are anything 
but rational : they should be cut for the simples !" And this 
indecent sally was introduced " into the subject matter of his 
preaching" — into a disquisition on the doctrine of Christ 
crucified ; the effect was, as might be expected, to produce a 
titter through the whole audience. 

Mr. Jay has tendered a laboured apology for this part ot 
his friend's conduct, which I confess myself unable to com- 
prehend the force of: it is as follows: " There was nothino- 
he so much disliked as a tame smoothness of lanofuao-e that 
slid off from the mind and conscience of the hearer ; or a mode 
of address, which if free from faults (a poor recommendation 
alone) was equally void of excellences. His aim, his endea- 
vour, was to impress, to excite, to accomplish the grand design 
of preaching, to turn sinners from darkness unto lioht, and 
from the power of Satan unto God. His expressions were 
always full of point, and sometimes tinged with quaintness : 
he employed the most colloquial phrases, and preferred, what 
his illustrious predecessor called 'market language,' and 
thus, though not exclusively, « the poor had the Gospel 



* It 18 curious that in quoting the five words of the Roman poet, Mr. 
Jay should have fallen into two mistakes, 
t Funeral Sermon, p. 26, 



334 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



preached unto thenC — and ' the common people heard him 
gladly.' And of whom was this originally said ? The Lord 
pardon those who would not glory in such a commendation ! 
They who sit still may see little trips in those who walk, and 
especially in those that run, from which they are free — not 
because they move better, but do not move at all. The tame- 
minded may carp at the efforts of genius, whose province it is 
to snatch many a beauty beyond the reach of art, while it 
sometimes fails in its ventures; and congratulate themselves 
that they are not chargeable with such failures ; but the reason 
is because they are incapable of such flights," p. 29. 

Now, if this is intended to apply to Mr. Hill, one naturally 
asks, " What are the flights to which he soared ? — do they 
respect his language or his sentiments ?" It cannot be the 
former, for this reason, that it has just before been confessed 
that his style was colloquial ; he preferred the ' market lan- 
guage ;" and the compliment must be equally misplaced if 
intended to apply to his theological opinions, for in this respect 
he scarcely ever advanced beyond the ABC. But the worst 
part of this apology consists in the attempt to identify 
Mr. Hill's manner of address with that of the Great Prophet 
of the Christian Church, whose object surely was to accom- 
plish the grand design of preaching, but than which no two 
things in nature could be more dissimilar. In the latter there 
was no " peculiar vehemence or loudness in the voice," such 
as distinguished Mr. Hill's preaching. His manner corres- 
ponded with what was said of him in ancient prophecy, " He 
shall not strive nor cry ; neither shall he lift up his voice in 
the street :" Grace was poured into his lips," and though 
" he taught as one having authority and not as the scribes," 
he. never employed "colloquial phrases," or " expressions 
tinged with quaintness," to give him popularity. That which 
drew the attention of the common people, and caused them to 
hear him gladly, was the heavenly strain of his doctrine — it 
was the language of divine compassion — of mercy to the 
miserable and self-condemned. Though delivered with a 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



335 



mildness and gentleness whicn resembled the falling of the 
dew upon the tender herb, it made its way to the conscience 
and the heart, commending itself by its own intrinsic excel- 
lence ; it was omnipotent to kill and to make alive, to wound 
and to heal! However praiseworthy Mr. Hill's aims and 
endeavours might be, his method of carrying them into elfect 
was his own — the product of his own wisdom — and not coun- 
tenanced by any thing in the example of Christ or his apostles. 
Mr. Jay, therefore, should not have attempted to confound 
the tilings that diifer, or to sanctioh extravagance and rant by 
the holy example of the Redeemer. 

The following anecdotes, however, appear to be well authen- 
ticated, and as they serve to illustrate Mr. Hill's character, 
they are subjoined for the gratification of such as have a pecu- 
liar fondness for the marvellous. They are extracted from 
Mr. Griffin's sermon, preached at Portsea, on occasion of Mr. 
Hill's death. 

"When I was with him at Bristol Tabernacle, Mr. Hill 
related to me, in his pleasant manner, a fact which occurred 
in his youth. His father, Sir Rowland, was not pleased with 
what he considered the irregular conduct of his sons, in 
descending so low as to preach in the villages and fields. 
One fine summer evening our deceased friend was preaching 
by the side of his father's park, at Hawkstone, in Shropshire. 
His powerful voice, exerted in a zealous degree, was suf- 
ficiently strong for the sound, occasionally while he was 
preaching, to reach the ears of his father, then sitting in his 
drawing-room^ confined by the gout. He sent a servant to 
Richard to require his presence \ and^ on his arrival, inquired 
whose voice it was that he heard. " It is Rowland, I suppose, 
Sir," said he, " preaching to the people in the neighbour- 
hood." Go, and tell him to come to me immediately, was the 
command of the father. Richard obeyed, and going to Row- 
land, whispered to him that he must go directly to his father. 
Rowland said. What shall I do with the congregation ? I 
cannot go, unless you come up and finish my discourse 



336 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



Richard immediately began to preacb, and Rowland pro- 
ceeded to his father, who gave him a lecture for his irregular 
conduct. While receiving this lecture. Sir Rowland (the 
father) said to him, 'I hear some other person preaching 
now— who is that?' I suppose it is Richard, finishing my 
sermon, Sir, said Rowland. « Go immediately, said his father, 
and tell him I command him to come at once to me, and do 
you come with him.' Rowland immediately obeyed; but 
when he came to Richard, the latter had finished his discourse 
and dismissed the people. They both went to their father, 
who severely reprimanded them for so degrading themselves. 
The brothers used some affectionate and respectful language 
to him, and employed some witticisms relating some risible 
anecdotes about the grateful expressions of the poor elderly 
women, which made the father, in spite of his anger and his 
gout, to smile — ^for the baronet was, of course, pleased (hat the 
people in the neighbourhood of his mansion should be kept in 
good humour. When his sons perceived that his anger was 
abated, they bowed and retired." 

^' About the time that Mr. Hill commenced out-door 
preaching, he visited one of our seaport towns, where he 
attempted to preach in the open air ; but was so interrupted 
by noise and missiles, that it was impossible for a time to pro- 
ceed. He was on horseback, and his footman with him. 
Instead of attempting to preach, he had recourse to an inno- 
cent stratagem. Addressing himself to the people, he said, 
' My lads, I have no right over you. If you do not choose to 
hear me, I have no authority to force your attention ; but I 
have travelled some miles for the sake of doins: or receiving: 
good. I have therefore a proposal to make to you. I always 
did admire British sailors. I see here some able-bodied 
seamen. Some of you no doubt have witnessed a great 
deal of service, and been in many a storm, and some in 
dangerous shipwrecks. Now, as I am very fond of hearing 
the adventures of seamen, my proposal is, that some of you. 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



337 



an.l as many as you please in turn, shall stand up and tell us 
what you have seen and suffered, and what dangers you have 
escaped; and I will sit and hear you out upon this condition, 
that you agree to hear me afterwards. The proposal made man)'' 
of them to laugh heartily, and they said one to another ' Do you 
stand up and give us a lecture.' One called upon a talkative 
sailor by name, ' I say, Harry, do you give him a lecture,' which 
produced a loud burst of laughter through the whole crowd ; 
and Mr. Hill, to keep them in good humour, laughed with 
them. After waiting some time, Mr. Hill said, ' Will none 
of you take my proposal V Finding them all silent, he thus 
accosted them : " I am a clergyman — I came not long since 
from the University of Cambridge. If you had heard me I 
should have told you nothing but what is in the Bible or 
Prayer-book. I will tell you what I intended to say if you 
had heard me quietly." And so commencing with a declara- 
tion of the grace and compassion of the Saviour, he led them 
to the consideration of the dymg malefactor, Luke xxiii. 
39 — .43 ; and then to the character and cn*cumstances of the pro- 
digal son, and the compassion of his father. His description of 
what he meant to have said, was so interesting and affecting, 
that he rivetted their attention, and produced an evident 
change in their disposition towards him. While he was 
speaking, they drew gradually nearer, hanging, as is the 
practice of sailors when standing in a crowd, upon each other's 
shoulders. In this position they listened, with almost death- 
like silence, till he had finished telling them what he should 
have said, if they had been willing to hear him. He then 
took off his hat, made them a bow, and thanked them for 
their civilities. Most of them took of their hats, and gave 
him three cheers. Several vociferated, « When will you come 
again, Sir?' And one man, who seemed like the champion 
of the whole, approached Mr. Hill and said, ' If you will 
come again. Sir, I say no one shall hurt a hair of your head, 
if \ am on shore.' Mr. Hill promised that he would visit 
them again as soon as other engagements would permit." 



338 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



The following, though not from the same source, is pretty 
much in the same style, and very likely to be true. " Being 
on one occasion engaged to preach in a town where violent 
opposition was expected, and where it was known that a cele- 
brated pugilist was engaged to molest him, he nevertheless 
determined to preach, and therefore had recourse to a strata- 
gem, by which he disarmed his antagonist of his ferocity. 
Having ascended the pulpit, and satisfied himself from the 
appearance of the pugilist, that he was not inaccessible to 
flattery, he beckoned him to the pulpit- stairs, and told him 
that he was come to preach to those people, in the hope of 
doing them good — that some opposition had been threatened 
— that he had been told of his strength and skill in self- 
defence, and had full confidence in his powers: — that he 
therefore should place himself in his hands, rely on his pro- 
tection, and begged the favour of his company to ride with 
him in his carriage after the service to dinner ! The man 
felt the full force of the compliment; all his animosity was 
removed; he declared his readiness to defend the preacher in 
case of any insult being offered, and was as good as his word. 
He accompanied Mr. Hill to dinner, and ever after boasted of 
the honour which the latter had conferred upon him." 

Evang. Biography, No. 1. 

Mr. Hill is well known to have always entertained a great 
dislike to the character of the notorious William Huntington, 
and scrupulously avoided coming in contact with him. He 
detested his Antinomian principles, and gave them no quarter 
from either the pulpit or the press ; while the quondam coal- 
heaver was particularly solicitous to cultivate a good under- 
standing with the minister of Surrey Chapel. One day there 
came a knock at the house door of the latter, and on th^ 
servant opening it, a person said he came from Mr. Hunting- 
ton with a letter for Mr. Hill. The servant proceeded to the 
parlour and mentioned the circumstance, on which the master, 
after a momentary pause, rose from his seat seized the tongs, 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



339 



and began to rake the bottom of the grate for the purpose of 
making a proper place to deposit the letter. Having done 
this, he raised himself up, and looking towards the door, 
called out, " O, a letter from Mr. Huntington—well, comQ 
in." As soon as the person entered, Mr. Hill held out th© 
tongs, and opening them, said, " there, put it there, put it 
there," Having got possession of the letter, he advanced 
towards the fire, at the same time thus addressing the mes- 
senger, " Now, mark what I am doing"— and instantly poked 
it into the place which he had prepared for it. " There," 
said he, " you may go now — tell him that's the answer !" 

Mr. Hill was sometimes very felicitous in his manner of 
conveying reproof ; and it w^as done in a way peculiar to him- 
self. He was once present when arrangements were makmg 
for the organization of a public society, and the persons 
present were talking over the names of the individuals who 
should be proposed to a general meeting as fit members of the 
committee. Several names of persons who were engaged in 
trade having been mentioned, a gentleman interposed his 
advice by remarking that he thought some regard should be 
paid to the respedahility of the society, and that " tag, rag, 
and bob-tail, should not compose the committee." Mr. Hill 
easily saw through the flimsy guise which in this instance ill 
concealed the pride of the human heart : he rose, therefore, 
and lifting up his hands as in the attitude of prayer, thus 
exclaimed, " God bless tag— God bless rag— God bless bob- 
tail." Having uttered these words he sat down — and the 
tradesmen were placed on the committee without another word 
in the way of opposition. 

Being on a visit, accompanied by Mrs. Hill, at the house of 
a clerical friend in the country, as the three individuals were 
sitting together one evening, Mrs. Hill and "mine host" 
insensibly slided into a tete-a-tete, which turned upon a review 
of the characters of many of their personal friends and 
acquaintances, in which Mr. Hill took no part ; but after a 
time found himself greatly annoyed by the conversation. To 

z 2 



340 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



put an end to it, he rose and rang the bell When the ser- 
vant appeared, he inquired if they had such a thing at hand as 
a hearth brush and dust pan. Being answered in the affirma- 
tive, he begged to be favoured with them for a few moments. 
On their being brought, he took them and began to sweep the 
carpet, saying that a prodigious quantity of dust and dirt had 
been scattered that evening by his two companions, and he 
was anxious to have it removed! The hint was taken, and 
the conversation turned upon other less annoying topics. 

Mr. Hill was not always original in his eccentricities— he 
was at times but the humble imitator of George Whitefield, 
as the following instance will prove. The writer of this 
memoir remembers to have been told by the late Mr. McLean, 
of Edinburgh, that, being in London, some twenty or thirty 
years ago, he was prevailed upon to step into Surrey Chapel 
one evening, when Mr. Hill took for his text, Phil. iv. 13, «I 
can >l11 things"— -here he paused for a moment, then added 
— " that I deny ! I'll bet you half a crown, Paul, that it is not 
true"— on saying whicn he drew the piece of money from nis 
pocket, and placed it upon the book before him. He then 
proceeded—" But stay, let us look a little further into the 
text;" he then read— " through Christ which strengtheneth 
me." On this he gave a significant shake of the head, and 
added— "Ah, that alters the question— its a drawn bet;" and 
putting the money in his pocket again, he proceeded with his 
sermon. Now, the writer of this has a perfect recollection of 
being told, fifty five years ago this very same anecdote, ver- 
batim, of Mr. Whitefield, which is proof that Mr. Hill was in 
this instance only the copyist. And it is surely matter of deep 
regret that he should have considered the thing worth 
repeating. It perfectly shocked the sober-minded'' Scotch 
Baptist, to hear a professed Christian minister contradict the 
apostle, and he never mentioned the matter afterwards (which 
he often did) without adding, " I cannot reconcile such con- 
duct with my views of what pertains to the fear and reverence 
that is due to the divine Majesty." 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



341 



Mr. Hill's witticisms;, eccentricities, or extravaganzas^ 
whatever name we may give them, were very revolting to the 
people of Scotland, of which many instances are upon record. 
During one of his tours into that country, the horse that drew 
his carriage fell lame, as has been formerly mentioned (p. 56,) 
and Mr. Hill greatl}^ shocked a congregation of Antiburghers 
by publickly praying for the animal's recovery ! It was in 
Scotland, too, that, preaching to an audience composed chiefly 
of weavers, he abruptly exclaimed, " O ye weavers, doesn't the 
shuttle go sweet when the love of God is burning in your hearts ?" 

The Scottish people complained that his preachings were 
too desultory and rambling: they wanted a little more order^ 
and a hint having been given him to that effect, he mentioned 
it in one of his sermons, adding, that for his part he never yet 
had been fortunate enough to fall in with that same Mr. order; 
but if ever he did, "he would get upon his back and ride him 
to the d 1 !" 

On another occasion, having been told that his hearers were 
fond of heads and particulars," he received the hint with his 
usual good humour, and having ascended the pulpit in the 
evening, he began by remarking that as they did not like his 
morning sermon, he had taken care to have more arrangement 
in the one he was about to deliver ; and that he should, there 
fore, have/oz^r heads — how many horns he had not yet deter- 
mined on : but he should first of all go round about the text , 
he should secondly come up to the text ; thirdly, he intended 
to go through the text ; and lastly, he should altogether go 
away from the text ! It is said the good man found himself 
most at home in the last head of discourse, which to say the 
least, is very credible. 

So addicted was he to the humorous, that he could produce 
a laugh even in a funeral sermon. He had preached an 
affecting discourse at Tottenham Court Chapel, on occasion 
of the death of one of the managers, when he created a 
universal titter by the unseasonable remark, " that he was going 
into the country to try to overtake that greyhound Parsons" 



342 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



— one of the Tabernacle preachers remarkable for his rapid 
utterance, not the celerity of his movements I 

Reprobating the practice of postponing charitable donations 
to the hour of death, and thus making them less by the 
amount of the legacy duty, he exclaimed, with significant 
emphasis, " We'll give the devil two and a half commission, 
if he'll let us have the money now !" — a speech which it is 
not very easy to construe, without supposing him to intend 
that all who kept back their charitable donations to the period 
of their death, did so from covetous motives — and when we 
read that he himself left twenty thousand pounds to be dis- 
tributed in legacies after his decease, if that were his meaning, 
it looks very much like writing his own condemnation. 

But enough of anecdote ; the sermons, prayers, and address, 
^rhich follow this memoir, furnish us with something far better 
than facetious tales. They lead us to a charitable hope that, 
with all his " wood, hay, and stubble," the " root of the 
matter was found in him," Job, xix. 28. Methinks we are 
warranted to indulge this favourable judgment on two grounds: 
first, that the eccentricities which marked his career, and 
which must be condemned by all sober-minded Christians, 
were a source of real grief to himself. In proof of this I refer 
the reader to an extract formerly given from the sermon which 
he preached at Bristol, on occasion of the death of his friend 
Mr. James Roquet, in which, apologizing for something of the 
same kind, he adds, " With the greatest delicacy I drop this 
hint, and am glad to cover it with the mantle of love, by 
lamenting before you all the same weaJcness in myself: a lively 
active disposition is apt to lead into this mistake: in many 
things we offend all : it is alone because the Lord's compas- 
sions fail not, that the best of the sons of men are not con- 
sumed." This is surely putting the matter upon its proper 
footing — what he condemned in himself, let us not foolishly 
apologize for, much less attempt to imitate. Constitutional 
infirmities are not easily got rid of; but it is a token for good 
thg,t Mr. Hill bewailed them. Not long before his death 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



343 



several of the London ministers had occasion to call upon 
him one Monday morning, desirous of consulting him on some 
matters of business, when they found him in a low and melan- 
choly mood, and apparently quite indisposed. On inquiring 
further, he told them "he had been beating his head against 
the bed-posts all the night long, on account of the foolish things 
he had uttered in his sermon the preceding evening !" This 
shows that, however amusing to the generality of his hearers, 
they were a source of pungent and grievous reflection to 
himself, in his moments of abstraction and retirement. 

The biographers of Mr. Hill have expatiated with fond 
enthusiasm on his great success in the conversion of sinners 
to God; awakening the careless and unconcerned to a due 
consideration of their immortal interests, and turning the 
disobedient to the wisdom of the just. Now, whatever ma • 
be the amount of this success, it becomes us to rejoice in it, 
and give God the glory. But is there no danger of our 
forming an erroneous estimate in this matter ? There may be 
many awakenings of conscience, much terror and alarm, very 
hopeful appearances to the eye of sense, without one spark of 
true grace ! To suppose that all who are the^ subjects of an 
awakened conscience are savingly converted to God, or shall 
ultimately enjoy his favour, and the rest and peace which the 
gospel confers on such as believe it, is to hold a sentiment 
which the Scriptures do not warrant The difference betwixt 
a sinner whose conscience is let loose upon him and has 
driven him to a state of distraction, and that of another who 
casts the fear of God behind his back, is only that which 
exists between a felon newly arrested by the officers of justice, 
and another who is still roaming at large and indulging 
himself in the commission of crimes. But whoever imagined 
that the wretch who is apprehended is in a more hopeful state 
than his fellow X Yet this is somehow implied in the case 
under consideration. The powerful vaciferation which dis- 
tinguished the addresses of Messrs. Whitefield and Hill, 
accompanied with their searching appeals to the hearts of 



344 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



their hearers, were well adapted to excite attention to what 
they said ; but our Lord's parable of the Sower, Matt. xiii. 
should lead us to think soberly on these matters, and not con- 
found conviction with conversion. Elijah, of old, was very- 
jealous for the Lord God of hosts, and no doubt very indig- 
nant with the prophets of Baal. On one occasion, while 
sheltering himself at Mount Horeb from the fury of Jezebel, 
he was summoned to present himself before the Lord upon the 
mount. " And behold the Lord passed by, and a great and 
strong wind rent the mountain, and brake in pieces the rocks 
before the Lord : but the Lord was not in the wind ; and 
after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the 
earthquake ; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was 
not in the fire ; and after the fire a still small voice, which the 
, prophet recognized as that of the Lord of hosts ; and when 
Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle." 

The " still small voice" would appear to be more congenial 
to the nature of a kingdom which is spiritual and heavenly, 
which consists in " righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy 
Spirit," than declamation and noise, though we must admit it 
to be praiseworthy and commendable in a minister of the 
gospel to be properly impressed with the importance of his 
office, and animated with zeal in discharging its functions. 
The weapons of his warfare are mighty to " cast down imagina- 
tions (presumptuous reasonings) and whatever exalts itself 
against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity every 
thought to the obedience of Christ ;" but then they are mighty 
only through God. He gives to his word " the energy of a 
fire and a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces," Jer. 
xxiii. 29 ; but then it must be his ovm word that is spoken. 
" the prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream ; and he 
that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully: "What 
is the chaff to the wheat ? saith the Lord," ver. 28. 

It would be ridiculous to compare the success of any 
preachers of the present da^^ with that which attended the 
mmistry of our Lord's apostles. But their preaching was of a 



REV. ROWLAND HILL. 



345 



very simple kind. In bearing witness to the resurrection of 
Jesus Christ from the dead, they were necessarily led to speak 
of his personal glory as Immanuel, or God manifest in flesh — 
the ends of his incarnation and mission into this world — his 
vicarious sufferings — the value of his sacrifice, and its accept- 
ableness to God — and the reward with which his obedience 
was crowned. This doctrine is wonderfully adapted to produce 
the most salutary and glorious effects upon the human heart 
It opens up a source of conviction to men of all ranks and 
degrees, of every age and nation, civilized or savage, such as 
no other doctrine ever did ; demonstrating that our state by ~ 
nature must have been deplorable and wretched beyond the 
powers of conception, to render such a costly sacrifice as that 
of the heart's blood of God's own dear and well beloved Son 
necessary to extricate us from it. This is the view that they 
invariably presented to men of their lost condition ; and from 
that consideration they commended the love of God to them in 
sending his Son to die for such guilty and hell-deserving rebels. 
By the force of this doctrine they made their way directly to 
the consciences and hearts of their hearers, and needed no 
adventitious aids either of oratory or rhetoric to give it effect. 
I throw out these hints without the smallest design or wish to 
detract from the merit of Mr. Hill or any other minister of the 
word ; but solely to point those who are engaged in the good 
work, to the apostolic method of preaching, and urging them 
to copy the example of those inspired guides. 

It were needless to attempt any laboured apology for the 
Sermons which follows this Memoir. When it is kept in mind 
that they were not preached with the slightest view to publica- 
tion, and that they are the off-hand production of one who had 
attained the age of eighty and eight years, criticism must be 
instantly disarmed. If it be asked ' Why are they then issued 
to the public through the medium of the press V The answer 
IS, because they will furnish to posterity a more correct and 
faithful picture of what Rowland Hill was in his last days, than 
can be obtained from any verbal description or other source. 



346 MEMOIRS OF THE REV. ROWLAND HILL. 

They form an imperishable monument of his attachment to the 
doctrines of divine grace. It will be seen from them that the 
subject with which he commenced his public ministry, namely 
Christ crucified, continued his favourite theme to the last, 
and that he died in the faith of it. They furnish abundant 
proofs, too, of the preacher's earnest solicitude to benefit the 
souls of his hearers ; of his willingness to spend and be 
spent for their sakes, and his patlietic complaints, and deep 
lamentation, that he was now incapacitated by age and infirmi- 
ties from serving them better. He lays his whole heart and 
soul open to their inspection, and shows how tenderly he loved 
them in the bowels of Jesus Christ; declaring "he could 
almost wish to be ground young again, if he might but live to 
be more useful." Though the Sermons partake much of their 
author's usual desultoriness and want of connection, a pious 
mind, in going through them, will be struck with many a 
fine remark, and observations of Stirling worth interspersed 
throughout, on which it will delight to pause, ponder, and 
reflect. 



APPENDIX, 



Having now gone over Mr. Hill's history, in a cursory 
manner, from his childhood to his grave — taken a review of his 
writings — and offered a few critical observations on what has 
passed under our notice, it only remains to lay before the 
reader a collection of the testimonies that have been published 
by others, his cotemporaries, according to the views tliey have 
respectively taken of his character ; and which will iorm a 
suitable Appendix to this Memoir. I have invariably sijoken 
of Mr. Hill according, to the best judgment I could form of 
him; but all human judgments are fallible, and I never had 
the vanity to set up my own as the standard of rectitude. The 
privilege which I claim, of thinking for myself, I most 
willingly concede to others. 

The following strictures on Rowland Hill, A.M., are 
extracted from " The Pulpit, or a Biographical and Literary 
Account of eminent Popular Preachers, interspersed with 
occasional Clerical Criticism, by Onesimus, Vol. I. 8vo. 1809. 

" Wisdom assures us there is a time for every thing. I 
wish, therefore, that it was my lot to describe the present 
preacher when be might have been supposed likely to listen to 
the suggestions of observation, and more able to endure the 
ordeal of criticism ; when years had not impaired his strength, 
and when habit had not rendered his eccentricities, v/hich he 
is said to feel, inveterate. I write this with truth. Disap- 
proving though I do of Mr. Hill's clerical character, misplaced 



34S 



APPENDIX. 



as I think him to be in our scale of existence, still I am induced 
to respect his private conduct, and I can honour his diffusive 
benevolence. 

" It stands recorded of the memorable and Reverend John 
Ryland, among his sayings, that, ' the minister was nothing 
worth who could not make the Devil roar but it seems as if 
it had been reserved for Mr. Hill, exclusively reserved, to 
shew us the worth of that minister who should make the Devil 
laugh! This last great sacerdotal experiment is now tried. 
Let us enquire, however, whether it is not, as Cowper says, 
most 

— ' Pitiful 

To court a grin, when you should woo a soul; 
To break a jest, when pity should inspir 
Pathetic exhortation ; and to address 
The skittish fancy, with facetious tales, 
When sent with God's commission to the heart !' 

[A paragraph is here omitted solely because the particulars 
mentioned concerning Mr. Hill are erroneous.] 

" Whether the motives which have induced Mr. Hill to 
persist in his secession from the establishment were perfectly 
conscientious, or whether, on the other hand, he was at all 
decided by the affectation of singularity and the ambition of 
notoriety, are questions which must rest with himself. He 
was once found, by the late Cornelius Winter, in the situa- 
tion of ' a distressed gentleman and was then considered as 
suffering for the cause which he espoused. 

" 1 do not deem it essential to ascertain exactly when the 
Rev. Rowland Hill first erected his religious ' Round House,' 
as his place of worship has been not unaptly called ; nor do I 
think it at all necessary to exhibit, were it in my power to 
procure one, an intelligible schedule of its ticketted seats. 
Speculation is not the business of the present enquiry. I 
imagine, however, that Surrey Chapel will not always continue 
so profitable as it may hitherto have proved. Novelty ceases 
to attract its crowds to this evangelical octagon ; and the 
popular influence of its founder, for whom there will not soon 



APPENDIX. 



349 



be found an adequate substitute, is now rapidly declining. 
Like the late Mr. Newton, there is reason to apprehend that 
Mr. Hill may outpreach, if not also outlive himself! He 
published a sermon on the occasion of laying the first stone of 
the chapel of which he has so long been the prop ; but from 
which, if there be truth in what is told, he is the last to derive 
any great advantage in a pecuniary point of view. Instead of 
leading others, as he ought to have done, he, it is said, has 
been led by others. The ape may fail to make use of the cat's 
paw. 

" Santiloquence, the eloquence of the Pulpit, is of so little 
value in the judgment of this celebrated preacher, that it is 
not to be supposed he will pay the least degree of attention to 
any observations of mine on his oratorical qualifications. 
What 1 shall remark, therefore, can only benefit those who 
may wish to avoid the errors which so palpably characterize 
his fashion of preaching. His very faults have raised him 
friends, and his extravagancies found imitators. Of the style 
of singing early adopted, and still practised, in his chapel, it 
must with justice be asserted, in the versification of Pope, that 

* The blessing thrills through all the labouring throng ; 
And heaven is won by — violence of song ! ' 

Perhaps it is owing to this ' violence of song,' as the poet by 
anticipation described it, that Mr. Hill is so sensibly agitated 
when he enters his pulpit, and first surveys, in all directions, 
his surrounding congregation ; frequently demonstrating, dur- 
ing this period, by alternate movements of the hand or arm, 
how properly his mind is then engaged in imploring blessings 
on the people ! Notwithstanding this display of pious preci- 
sion, there is, in this preacher, a negligence degenerating into 
slovenliness. Decorum really becomes the pulpit. It is 
painful, it is worse than painful, to see a divine, so placed, 
turn his back on his hearers, the instant he has finished his 
prayer ; then having pulled his robes into order, loll upon his 
cushion, rub his face, feel his mouth, or pick his nose. 



350 



APPENDIX. 



" Language must not hope to picture the look with which 
Mr. Hill first takes the pulpit. So vacantly risible is the 
expression of his countenance, there is such idiotic shrewdness 
in it, that to stifle laughter, which yet must be done, when one 
contemplates his face, is an effort almost too great to bear. 
Strange as is this trait in him, I leave the truth of it to those 
who have seen and heard him. 

" Mr. Hill gives his text very indistinct^, and almost 
inaudibly. The character of his discourses is generally known : 
sameness in substance, incoherent in arrangement, whimsical 
in illustration, commonly colloquial in language, and abound- 
ing in strange flights of fancy, and apt but humourous stories. 
He absolutely labours for his metaphors; and in his zeal to 
lower himself to what he conceives to be the 'aptitude or 
capability of his audience,' he constantly mistakes vulgarity 
for simplicity. Let us try, from memory, some of those 
passages by which Mr. Hill's Sermons are distinguished. 

" Some preachers," he lately significantly observed to his 
hearers, " had need be Doctors of Divinity in order to carry 
their nonsense down !" He shortly after declared, however, 
by way of concession to, or compromise with other clergymen, 
" I don't blame those who must preach bad sermons, if they 
read good ones ; for it is certainly better to read good ones of 
other people's than to preach bad ones of their own." He 
then, by no unnatural transition, began to descant on Village 
Preaching; and preferred for 'this evangelical work,' men 
with 'less learning in their heads than grace in their hearts,' 
to all the dignified divines in existence. I should only spoil 
his description of these Village Missionaries, whose labours are 
so piously seconded by the ' money dug,' to record Mr. Hill's 
strono^ simile for sacred beo^oino^ 'from the London mines,' 
were it attempted by me to retrace it on paper. When other 
giddy fellows are setting out in their whiskeys, sabbath after 
sabbath, then it is that these simple persons, the Village 
Missionaries of the London Itinerant Society, start for ' the 
evangelizing work ;' and as Mr. Hill remarked, ' what a 



APPENDIX. 



351 



comfortable employment it is for young men !* While others 
are spending money, these are saving it ; and while others are 
whiskeying along the broad way that leadeth to destruction, 
these are sociably trotting, two by two, the narrow path that 
must inevitably lead to blessedness ! So, at least, Mr, Hill 
assures us. Is he not a most admirable recruiting-serjeant in 
the service of his evanc^elical church-militant ? 

" Strenuously as he objects to the ' sounding brass' or 
' tinkling cymbal' of oratory, it is here that himself can be 
really oratorical. Not only does he exert himself in mouthing 
the sounding brass, but like those profane wenches who play 
the triangle through our streets, most aptly can he imitate, by 
the dextrous motion of his fingers, the jingle of the tinkling- 
cymbal. Such is, nevertheless, his sovereign contempt, his 
sublime detestation of either ' the sounding-brass' or tinkling- 
cymbal, and so fearfully does he refrain from the judicious 
admixture of both, that it is by no means easy to pronounce to 
what genus of eloquence his preaching belongs. 

" Literature is with him as his eloquence. ' I am sure,' he 
will say, ' that what they call composition, and the rest of it, 
does more harm than good.' Since he thus disclaims all 
literary circumspection, it is not so astonishing, as otherwise 
it would be, to hear him, while striving to familiarize the 
mysteries of religion, talk of ' depths that would drown a 
camel,' with ' rivulets, running to the main river, which a 
lamb might wade with safety.' And adding, with the most 
marvellous expression of countenance, ' how surprising does 
the Bible explain these matters ! what a wonderful book is the 
Bible.' 

" Mr. Hill is not quite what once he was. His voice, firmly 
loud, at one time, to an extreme, is now (1809) either so 
broken as to render his enunciation indistinct, or so tremulous 
as to be with dijBficulty audible, or when high, so painfully power- 
ful as to resemble hooting. Still, however, if as another 
reverend gentleman says, ' no one is fit for a spiritual shep- 
herd who does not possess a good whistle to whistle the sheep 



352 



APPENDIX. 



into the fold if such be the case, then is Mr. Hill, clearly 
enough, in point of 'whistle' or lungs, so far qualified to 
execute the laborious duties of the spiritual sheepfold. This 
makes but half his worth. Following the example of the rega* 
shepherd, Mr. Hill, it seems, bears about with him 'his sling;' 
whence, according to the gentleman above referred to (the 
Rev. Mr. Blake) the true spiritual shepherd must, as the 
champion of Goliath once did, be engaged in ' flinging stones'* 
at those who are not of his flock. Now, is not this true of 
Mr. Hill ? Incessantly is he employed in thus ' flinging 
stones or, plainly speaking, in scaring and routing sinners ; 
without heeding, perhaps, that hearts are not equally obdurate, 
but that, if many are to be assailed only by terror, there are 
numbers who must be allured chiefly by mercy. Moses may 
denounce and deter, but ii is for Jesus to conciliate and con- 
vert! 

" It is to be wished that Mr. Hill's religious allegiance was 
as honourable to him as his political loyalty ; that he revered 
the church, as he respects the state. Catholicism should be 
universal. Let the abuse of our spiritual dignitaries, there- 
fore, be immediately transferred from Surrey Chapel, where it 
does not tell, to Providence Chapel, where it is still relished. 
Be it the sole business of the illiterate and illiberal, of the 
Huntingtons or Cobbetts of the day, to be employed in 
reviling those qualities and dignities to which they may not 
worthily aspire. 

" Mr. Hill shall have his praise. Credit let him take for 
the species of talent by which he is known in the pulpit. He 
has the happy knack, if such it is, of immediately arresting 
the attention of the commonalty, and obtaining their attention. 
Naturally eccentric, he is unequalled in the excitation of 
religious merriment. Perhaps he is the only living preacher, 
and this he has done, who could make the people smile auring 
a funeral sermon. His stories are uniformly amusing: his 
jokes are jokes of the heart. 

" Proper things, however, in proper places. Is it now too 



APPENDIX. 353 

iate to dissuade Mr. Hill from extravagantly pursuing a 
system of preaching, of which the beneficialeffects are'' so 
extremely doubtful ? Cannot he be familiar without being 
funny; or must illustration necessarily be irreverential? 
What gratification can he find in being considered as the great 
head of story-telling and stamping preachers; of evangelical 
eccentrics; of mountebank pulpiteers? His example has 
wrought incalculable ill. It is not easy to say how many 
an S. S. or an M. G. we owe to him; men who, either as to 
goodness or talents, are not worthy of being associated with 
Mr. Hill even as 'the hewers of wood and drawers of water' 
to the temple of our religion. 

" While it is incumbent on me not to conceal the defects 
of Mr. Hill, let his merits obtain honourable mention. If he 
did not evince more than ordinary talents, he would not have 
called forth the strictures I have felt it necessary to make. 

" He possesses a strong reasoning mind. He readily seizes 
the prominent bearings of his subject, fi^es them in the 
clearest point of view, and is easily apprehended by his audi- 
tory. His addresses, as they seem to flow from the fervour of 
feeling, often strongly affect the feelings of those to whom 
they are directed; and the very tremulousness of his under- 
tones contributes, at times, to solemnize the minds of the 
people. His action, though too frequently ludicrously dis- 
torted, IS, when occasionally he places his hand on the sconces 
of the pulpit, really graceful and highly dignified 

-Evangelical ministers, it should seel, are sometimes 
rather earthly minded. What other feeling than that of fal- 
Iible vamty, the poor love of poor fame, induced Mr. Hill to 
tolerate, and patronize too, prints of his house, in which he is 
drawn as setting out from home,.fully robed, while a medallion 
profile of him appears suspended amidst the clouds ? 1 have 
done. Charity now urges me to refrain from severely animad- 
verting, as I might, on Mr. Hill's reiterated invectives against 
regular clergymen, and his ill-dissembled confidence in his own 
preaching. 

2 a 



A^fwpm. 

" Mr. Hill's publications are multitudinous enough. He 
Has written more than I have had time to read : and some of 
which they say he would not write now. I will not revive his 
regrets by pointing out their source." 



FROM MR. JAY'S FUNERAL SERMON. 
Text, Zech. xi. 2—" Howl, fir-tree, for the Cedar i$ fallmr 

# * * " I have known the deceased forty-seven years 
and have annually aided him forty-six years within these walls, 
(Surrey Chapel.) During all that eventful period, I have had 
free access to him in private, and multiplied opportunities to 
judge of him in public. Indeed never was there a piap more 
open to observation, and never was there a man more qualified 
to bear it; for he had all the transparency of glass without 
the brittleness. I have, therefore, one happy advantage on 
this occasion. My brethren in the ministry well know hovir 
embarrassed we sometimes are in our funeral exercises, 
between the wishes and expectations of friends, and the con- 
victions of our own consciences; hence, some have declined 
such engagements altogether. But there is nothing this 
morning for the preacher to deny or palliate, or excuse, or 
3xplain^the infirmities inseparable from sanctified humanity 
while here, being excepted. 

" And this is one of his highest distinctions, that he passed 
through life with unblemished reputation, and left a character 
without a single stain. Yet the trial of his principles was 
unusually long ; for he commenced his religious course early ; 
and had, when he finished it, nearly entered his ninetieth 
year. And it was severe as well as lengthened. He was 
called to endure a great variety of probations , and especially 
the perils arising from popular applause, concerning which the 
wisest of men long ago remarked, < as the fining-pot for silver 



AJ^PENDIX. 



335 



and tbe fur.i?ace for gold, so is a man to his praise.' The popu- 
larity of this exalted character was not comparative or 
transient ; it was full at first ^nd it continued to the last. 
Whenever his name was announced for preaching, the place 
was always crowded, and a multitude hung upon his lips. 
Persons may differ in their views of the worth of popularity : 
but it can never be overrated as an instrument of usefulness : 
and they may differ in their opinion of the sources of popu- 
laritjr; but mere novelty and peculiarity will never fully 
account for a popularity that flourished much more than half 
a century without decay. Since he emerged into public 
notice, how many wonderful men (as the phrase is) have been 
cried up, of whom, after a time, we have heard nothing. They 
rose suddenly with a rush, and crackled, and sparkled down- 
ward, and expired, and paper and stick were only left on the 
ground. But the departed was not a sky-rocket— his path 
was ' like the shining light, which shineth more and more 
unto the perfect day.' He was not a meteor— he resembled 
' the sun when he goeth forth in his strength.' As there was 
no declension in his acceptance, so neither was there any 
cooling in his zeal His zeal was like the fire on the Jewish 
altar, kindled by the breath of Heaven, and which never went 
out. He loved his Master— he loved his work. The love of 
Christ constrained him to live not to himself, but to him 
that died for him and rose again. Preaching was his very 
element and delight : and, as he wished, so it was; his work 
and his life nearly closed together. He was from the begin- 
ning a peculiar individual, a perfectly original character; and 
there are cases that must not be tried by abstract principles, or 
general rules, but by their own laws and circumstances, and 
which are so singular and rare as that there is no probability 
of their being established as precedents or examples. But 
from Mr. Hill's determination [not to be fettered by the eccle- 
siastical statutes of the established church] arose much of the 
conjplexion of his character, and we are persuaded of his 
usefulness too. For now feeling himself free from every 

2 a2 



356 



APPENDIX. 



trammel, and at full liberty to follow his convictions, he went 
forth preaching everywhere, the Lord working with him. 

" In general the Lord takes his people and ministers from 
the humble and middle walks of life ; but Mr. Hill was a man 

- family, ancient and respectable; and it is not a little sur- 
prising how many of the household, for it was large, have 
been distinguished for genuine piety. Sir Richard Hill, his 
elder brother, was much known by several publications,' not 
only in favour of the doctrines he held, but in promotion of 
brotherly love and candour, especially between Churchmen 
and Dissenters, who ' held the head.' He furnished me with 
some instances of his brother's early wit and fervour, which 
time will not allow me to relate. But the religion thus com- 
menced was not a form of godliness, but the power thereof. 
It was a divinely vital principle, and from that hour he 
walked by faith, he went about doing good, and made the end 
of one good work the beginning of another. When We con- 
sider the journeys he took, the sermons he preached, the 
visits he paid to the sick and dying, how well may we apply to 
him the Saviour's commendation, ' Thou hast laboured and 
hast not fainted :' ' I know thy works, and the last to be more 
than the first.' 

" Under the divine blessing, a life of temperance and exer- 
tion, and cheerfulness, conduced to secure and perpetuate a 
high degree of health ; so that the deceased through life was 
scarcely ever laid aside from employment. Thus also he 
reached a fine old age, which it was delightful to look on. 
' The days of our years,' says Moses, ' are threescore years 
and ten ; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, 
yet is their strength labour and sorrow.' But here was more 
than the period, without the infirmities ; and at last nature 
was not racked with tormenting pain, nor the frame worn out 
with consuming disease ; but the good old patriarch grew a 
little drowsy towards the evening of a long and laborious day, 
and having served his generation, fell asleep, and was not, for 
God took him." 



APPENDIX. 



357 



EXTRACT FROM MR. GRIFFIN'S (OF PORTSEA) FUNERAL 
SERMON. 

Tbxt, John V. 35—" He was a burning and a shining light." 



* * * a 



Mr. Hill was intended for the established church, 
with the hope that his talents and family connexions would 
raise him to some eminence in it. Such, however, was the 
ardour of his youth, and his love to the Redeemer, that he 
could not be restrained within the bounds of canonical rules 
He had heard Mr. Whitefield in London, and his spirit caught 
the flame which burned in the bosom of that zealous and 
eloquent clergyman. He .visited the prisons, and the houses 
of the afflicted and poor in Cambridge. Soon after he 
preached at the Tabernacle and Tottenham Court Chlpel 
which were in connexion with Mr. Whitefield, and at other 
places, where he was followed by astonishing crowds of hearers 
and great grace was upon many of them. His early conse- 
crat.on to the service of Christ was a gi-eat excellency in the 
character of Mr. Hill. He devoted the full strength of his 
mental and physical powers to Christ in his youth. His lively 
Chr>st,anaffections-his flights of imagination-his sallies of wit 
-and the evident proofs of real piety which characterized his 
public addresses, united to gain him large throngs of listening 
hearers, almost wherever he went. He roseas a burning and a 
shining light, amidst deep and extensive spiritual and moral 
darkness. Thelightwhich he and others then diff-used has shone 
far and bright in these lands since he rose in the Christian hemis- 
phere. Very manypiousyoung menhavesubsequently appeared 
both m the Establishment and among every denomination of 
Dissenters, who, though they have not displayed the brilliancy 
ofMr.H,ll,as stars of thefirst n,agnitude,yet, as constellations, 
are the hghts of the world, and the glory of the churches. 

" The excellency of his ministry was manifested by his power 
of description. AH the works of God and man-all the opera- 
tions of mind-and all that we are taught respecting invisible 



^^g APPENDIX. 

beinas-were laid under requisition by his imagination to aid 
him In the descriptive part of his preaching. Sin was often 
depicted, in all its odious and otFensive qualities TTie deep 
depravity of the human heart and life was so exhibited as to 
cause many a weeping penitent, like Job, to say, ' I have 
heard of thee by the' hearing of the ear,.but now nau^e eye 
seeth thee, wherefore I abhor myself, and repent ^-^^'^-f 
«.hes.' The soul of man was laid open by J- with all its 
secret imagery, and shown to the sinner m the full blaze of 
liaht till he fell prostrate before the throne of God, saying, 
> Woe is me, for I am undone, for I am a man of unclean hps. 
. God be merciful to me a sinner.' His description of the 
doctrines of the gospel was rendered familiar to the pla.nes 
understanding, both by the terms which he employed, and the 
comparisons he made. The doctrines of regeneration by 
.race-j-tifi-tion by faith-adoption-sanctification &c 
;ere presented through a lucid medium, and made intelligible 

to attentive hearers. 

"Mr Hill's preaching was sometimes very powerful inargu- 
,„ent. Inthe year 1792, IwasatBristoltabevnacle, when! had 
an opportunity of hearing him during a part of four sabbaths 
at Z time, he was strongly excited, - f ^r:: 
recent publications by Dr. Priestley. He seemed to throw 
the whole force of his mind into a course of a>-g»'f 
defence of the divinity and atonement of Christ, which I then 
felt to be lucid, cogent, and conclusive I refer for confirma- 
tion of these remarks to his Village Dialogues, Nos. 19, 20, 
entitled " Socinianism Unmasked," which, though they 
partake of his characteristic style of humour and sarcasm, yet 
display a concatenation of judicious arguments convincing o 
the sceptic, and confirming to the believer. His appeals to 
the conscience were irresistible, like a sharp two-edged sword ; 
many stout-hearted sinners wore wounded to the quick, and 
like the woman of Samaria said to their friends and neigh- 
bours, " Come and see a man that told me all things that ever 



APPENDIX. 359 

I did.' tUk Appeals pierced the hearts even of those whose 
consciences were seared as with a hot iron. 

" His ministry was powerfully persuasive. Often did he 
preach from, and frequently cite the language of Paul, ' We 
must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every- 
one may receive the things done in the body, according to that 
which he hath done, whether it be good or bad.' ' Knowing 
therefore the terrors of the Lord we persuade men.' When his 
spirit was under the unction of the Spirit of God, and his mind 
in a good frame for preaching, he poured forth the alFections 
(xf his heart in persuasive strains of expostulation and reasoning 
with the sinner, till vast multitudes were melted into tears of 
godly sorrow for sin, while others were excited to the most 
lively alFection to Christ, and to spiritual joys arising from the 
hope that God wa« reconciled unto them, and felt the internal 
evidence of their reconciliation. 

" Another excellency of Mr. Hill's character consisted in 
the clear, judicious, and evangelical sentiments which emanated 
from his lips ; and in this view he was a burning and shining 
light. He borrowed all his rays from the Sun in the centre of the 
Christian system. In his preaching Christ was all and in all. On 
the Lord's day, March 31, 1833, he preached from that fine 
passage, 1 Cor. ii. 7, 8, ' We speak the wisdom of God in a 
mystery,' &c. &c. This passage expressed with such majesty 
of style, and conveying such sublime thoughts, admirably 
suited the expansive and elevated mind of Mr. Hill. His 
spirit could soar like the eagle, and look the sun in its face, 
while he left others, as of the lower species of the feathered 
tribe, in the regions far below him, to chatter like the crane or 
the swallow, strangers to the powers by which he could ascend 
to heights so much above them. There are those who speak 
and write about Mr. Hill's defects, and who are no more capable 
of following him in his metaphysical thoughts and sublime 
ideas of God and his works, than a child is capacitated to 
converse with an archangel. I pity them for their weakness 
and folly in striving to hide their superiors by a cloud of their 



360 



APPENDIX. 



own forming, that their smaller light may appear to be the 
brighter. (! !) 

" His devotional services peculiarly displayed the religious 
frame of his spirit. His prayers in the family were extem- 
porary, and always short ; as he considered tedious domestic 
worship to be more injurious than profitable, to those parts of 
the family who were not engaged in speaking. His petitions 
and thanksgivings generally embraced the occurrences of the 
day, whether domestic, social, or national, and which were 
referred to in laconic phraseology, and with much unction and 
fervency. Though he was accustomed to use the prescribed 
forms of the Church, with which he was greatly delighted, his 
prayer before and after sermon, was generally short, as all 
the principal subjects had been embraced in the written 
service. He, therefore, seldom attempted to follow any fixed 
method of leading his own devotions or those of the congrega- 
tion, by exciting them to adoration, invocation, confession, 
petition, pleading, and thanksgiving; a method recommended 
by some of our best and greatest divines. Though Mr. Hill 
did not follow any of these set rules, he was far from despising 
such a classification of thoughts as might best aid the devotions 
of the minister and the hearers. There was an excursiveness 
in his style of extemporary public prayers; yet was there 
often a sublimity of thought and expression in them which 
powerfully excited a devotional spirit in the minds of his 
people. He was almost constantly requested at public meet- 
ings, when he did not preach, to take this part of the service; 
and he scarcely ever performed it, without leaving a very deep 
impression on the minds of his auditory, of the reality of the 
religion which characterized his heart and conduct. Judging 
from what I have seen and heard of Mr. Hill, I believe that he 
was a spiritually minded man, a man of much ejaculatory 
communion with God. The orbit in which he moved was 
near the sun of righteousness, from which he received his 
light and vital heat, and to whom he ascribed all the glory of 
what was in him, or done by him. His religious character 



APPENDIX. 



361 



was the source of every other excellency, and tlierefore justi- 
fies us in saying, * He was a burning and shining light' " 



Extract from a Memoir of Mr. Hill, in the Evan- 
gelical Magazine, for July 1833, by Mr. Jackson of 
Stockwell. 

" Mr. Hill, m his doctrinal sentiments was decidedly a 
Calvinist, but he was opposed to what is called Hyper-Calvi- 
nism ; and the writer once heard him preach an ingenious and 
well sustained discourse on 'The Antinomianism of Armi- 
nianism, and the Arminianism of Antinomianism.' Perhaps 
few men have understood, better than he did, the questions at 
issue between Theologians. Socinianism and Antinomianism 
he abhorred ; and he used to say, in his facetious manner, 
that in the one case the devil appeared dressed up like a 
miller, and in the other like a chimney-sweeper. Justification 
by the righteousness of Christ, and sanctification by the Holy 
Spirit, were the themes upon which he delighted to dwell, and 
tipon which he was always at home. 

He was one of the founders of the London Missionary 
Society, and its firm and steady friend to the end of his days. 
For this noble cause he travelled more than 10,000 miles 
gratuitously, frequently contributing towards his travelling 
expences. The writer has had the honour and happiness to 
accompany him in most of those labours of love ; and many a 
scene has he witnessed that never can be effaced from his 
memory. At Leeds, in the Cloth Hall (an open quadrangle) 
he saw, on one occasion, 10,000 people hanging on his lips 
with the deepest interest ; he has seen the Theatre at Shef- 
field opened to receive him, and crowded to excess, when the 
largest dissenting place of worship in the town, the Wesleyan 
Chapel, was denied to him, though he was pleading the cause 
of the perishing heathen. In other parts he has witnessed 
equal proofs of his popularity, and never can he forget the 



362 



iPf'^NDlX. 



scene at Cardigan, where immense multitudes were assembled 
to enjoy the missionary festival. The preacher stood on a 
platform which was elevated for the occasion, preaching alter- 
nately in Welsh and in English ; a large table was spread in 
the valley below, on which were placed the memorials of a 
Saviour's dying love; around it sat the men on the turf, 
behind them the women who were communicants, seated on 
benches ; and behind these stood the spectators ; the moun- 
tains appearing in the distance, the sun declining, the moon 
rising towards the close of day ; the solemn addresses, the 
echo of the spiritual songs which resounded between the hills, 
the evident tokens of the divine presence, the holy love and 
harmony which prevailed — presented a scene no language can 
describe ; it was indeed the gate of heaven. 

" Another scene, which occurred in one of Mr. Hill's mis- 
sionary tours, must not be omitted. It took place in Cornwall, 
at a spot called the Pit, near Redruth, where a kind of amphi- 
theatre is formed by the falling in of a mine, which some liberal 
friends among the Wesleyans have made very convenient for 
public meetings in the open air. Here the multitude assem^ 
bled, and the spectacle was quite unique ; the shops in the 
town were shut, business was suspended, and men, women, 
and children, to the amount of about 4,000, hastened to the 
spot where ' Sir Rowland,' as they called him, was to preach. 
There you might have seen carts, waggons, gigs, post-chaises, 
horses, donkies, chairs, tables, forms, &c. all in requisition ; 
and a goodly band of the best singers in the adjacent country 
were conveniently placed among the crowd, who . conducted 
that part of the service with great propriety ; while the effect 
of the singing, the energy of the preacher, and the attention 
of the people, were truly solemn : and we could not forbear 
indulging the hope, that whilst he was pleading the cause of 
the heathen in distant lands, some sinners on the spot were 
^ pricked to the heart' 

« the time and attention of Mr. Hill, in his latter days, 
were much devoted to the rising town of Leamington, in 



APPENDIX. ^ 

Warwickshire. He saw, in the ^ InCea.ii.g 
of that pkce, a wide sphere for usefulness, and he contributed 
near £2,000 to the cause of God, there, in the purchase of the 
chapel and burial ground in Mill Street, and in the erection 
and furnishing a dwelling house for the resident minister ; the 
whole of which he has left in the hands of trustees wifll 
instructions that the Liturgy of the Cihurch of England shall 
be read there, to meet the views of those who prefer this mode 

of worship. , 

" His candour was well known; ' Grace be with all those 
that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity,' Was his motto, 
hence he enjoyed the friendship of good men of every deno- 
mination. ' On Monday before his death, he told the writer, 
that he did not sit in judgment upon other men, though some 
narrow-minded bigots, churchmen and dissenters, had taken 
upon them to judge of his motives. He added, that upon a 
review of his public life, and on the near prospect of eternity, 
if his time were to come over again, he would pursue exactly 
the same course which he had done. He spoke of himself 
in terms of the greatest humility, and proceeded to express his 
wishes as to the place of his sepulture, when with great com- 
posure he said, ' If it had pleased God to have taken me to 
himself while I was at Wotton, I should have liked to have 
Been buried with Mrs. Hill; but as my heavenly Father has 
otherwise determined, I would rather be buried in Surrey 
Chapel where I have preached for half a century, than have 
„,y body carried so many miles after my death.' After th,s 
conversation I sai.l to him, ' Well, Sir, it is probable we shall 
soon lose you ; but our loss will be your gain ; you are gomg 
to be with" Jesus and see him as he is;' when he replied with 
great emphasis, ' Yes, and I shall be like hirti, that is the 

crowniiig poii^^-' -it * 

« Thus lived and died the Rev. Rowland Hill ; and who is 
there that does not exclaim, ' Let my last end be like his V 
■ He was not a perfect character; there are spots in t^ie sun. 
He was naturally haughty; his firmness sofnetimes degene- 



364 



APPENDIX. 



rated into obstinacy ; he found it difficult to forgive an injury; 
he was sometimes hasty and indiscriminate in his attachments, 
which occasionally involved him in difficulties : but he was 
deeply sensible of his defects; and if at any time he had been 
overtaken in a fault, the writer has been affected to see him 
weeping bitterly, and in the most humiliating terms imploring 
forgiveness through a Saviour's blood." 



EXTRACT FROM THE EVANGELICAL REGISTER, MaY, 1833. 

" The character, both mental and spiritual, of Rowland Hill 
was of no common order ; and the space he filled in the 
church of God will perhaps rarely, if ever, be occupied again 
by any individual minister. His sermons, from the beginning 
to the end, were rich with evangelical truth— it was Jesus 
Christ, and him crucified. He never, though possessing a 
strong imagination and great intensity of feeling, was led 
astray by the numerous errors which have proved so injurious 
to many professors during his long ministration. The 
Arminian peculiarities, though recommended by Wesley, and 
the Antinomian delusions, though advocated by many, as well 
as Socinian heresy, were alike rejected by Mr. Hill. His 
favourite subject was sanctification, on which he would 
discourse with an elegance, for a short time, truly sublime 
and pathetic. The writer thinks he witnesses him now, as in 
the vigour of manhood, rising in his figure and his voice into 
one of those bursts of impassioned declamation, on the purity 
of God, which often made the very hair to tingle, and the 
place to appear as holy ground. Yet sanctification in his 
hands, was not an abstract view of a part, but a warm and 
living exhibition of the whole of the Gospel; it included the 
whole of the apostolic assertion : " For whom he did foreknow, 
he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his 
Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren." 



APPENDIX. 365 

It was sanctification by faith, and brought into immediate 
sight the cross of Christ, the blood which cleanseth us from all 
sin. Those who observed his discourses attentively could 
perceive a degree of unity amidst all his excursions—he had 
(me thoiiight on which it might be seen most other thoughts had 
a bearing, and his object was to drive this home. His preaching 
was rather aphoristic than orderly and consequential: he 
aimed at point and impression, knowing that if he could carry 
the heart, the judgment would be taken also ; and his remarks 
were often so pithy and full, so luminous and warm, that the 
hearer who was impressed, felt that it was with the force of that 
truth which enlightened his understanding." 



FROM THE EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE OF MAY, 1833. 

Servant of God, farewell ! . 

Thine earthly course is run ; 
We grieve to hear thy knell, 

But thou hast victory won. 

Toilsome and long thy strife 

With Satan and with sins; 
Extended was thy life, 

But now thy rest begins. 

Thousands, transported, hung \ 

On those attractive strains, 
Which issued from thy tongue 

Like fertilizing rains. 

The sinner, struck with awe, 

Thy faithful warnings heard, 
When, from the fiery law, 

Thou gav'st the solemn word 

The mourning, contrite soul, 

Thy gentle accents found 
Could make the riven whole, 

And staunch the bleeding wound. 

Jesus was all thy theme 

From youth to rev' rend age ; 
His name, the sunlight beam 

That rested on thy page. 



APPENDIX. 



Vifhen " village scettcs" pourtray^j 

Thy lively pencil drew, 
Jesus was still displayed 

To our admiring-view. 

And love to him began, 

Just in thy manhood's prime. 
The missionary plan : 
That glory of our time 

But now thy lips are cold, 
• And silent is thy tongue , 
The tomb thine ashes hold — 
Thy last sad requiem's sung. 

And art thou silent now ?■ — 
No list'ning throng around 

No ! yonder angels bow, 

And gath'ring saints surround. 

Sweet are the notes they raise, 
Responsive every string, 

While they assist thy praise, 
And teach thee how to sin^. 

Jesus is still thy theme. 
And his surpassing love. 

Who could such worms redee»!^ 
And raisjB to joys ^bpye. 

Servant of God, farewell 
The vision is too bright, — 

As yet, we cannot dwell 

With saints in realms of light. 



FROM THE EVANGELICAL REGISTER OF MAY, 1833^ 

Alas ! the sovereign mandate calls aijffiy 
The Christian veteran from the field below ; 

Yet crown'd with honours of a long-fought day, 
Th^f f^W beside are favoured here to know. 

Through good and ill report he took his course, 

Reckless of scorn and bigotry severe, 
Still onward press'd to preach a Saviour's cross, 

While frien4s admire, and evea foes revere 



APPENDIX. 



So oft, in early days, he led tlie field 

Against sectarian holds— those seats of pride ; 

And urg'd the sons of bigotry to yield — 

Then spoke of Charity, the Christian's guide. 

By nature formed to shield him from the darts 

Of secret hate or open-handed fight ; 
How few there were of vile or honest hearts 

That e'er could wage the war with equal migllt 

In manners pure, and philanthropic too, 

Of undisputed piety was he ; 
And though eccentric both to friend and foe — 

He sought to show how Christians should agree. 

With heart sincere, with zeal-enkindled breast, 
How oft was he the heathen's dauntless friend ! 

The claims of millions urg'd with holy zest, 
And long'd for Jesus' kingdom to extend. 

To British youth, what sage advice he gave, 
And 'midst their congregated thousands atood ; 

While from their teachers would he zealous crave, 
•Their ceaseless offerings for the children's good. 

Benevolent in heart — with liberal hand, 

At home — abroad, he preach'd with pure delight ; 

And who shall here describe the holy band 

Call'd through his labours to the realms of light. 

O might the Muse but echo half the praise 
Of one, still dear, whose spirit dwells above! 

That hails this aged saint in sacred lays, 

" Father in Christ.', through Everlasting Love !" 

The God of Grace his blessings richly shed, 

And verified his promise on record — 
To hoary hairs I'll be thy God, he said. 

Then call'd his servant Hill to his reward, 

Farew.ell on earth, thou aged warrior, rest 
From all thy care, and zeal, and labours here , 

Before the throne of God supremely blest. 

To sing of grace divine that brought thee there. 

And when the solemn trump shall shake the skies 

To wake the slumb'ring saints from death's domaiOy 

Thy form, committed now to dust, shall rise 
Immortal, and with Christ triumphant reign. 



368 



APPENDIX. 



FROM THE " patriot" NEWSPAPER OF MAY, 1833, 

We heave not a sigh — not a tear we shed- 

Nor lift we the voice of weeping, 

As calmly we gaze on the face of the dead, 

So soundly and sweetly sleeping : 

For he breathed his last prayer on the tender breast 

Of his Master and Lord reclining ; 

His death was the death of the holy and blest. 

And his works are still brightly shining. 

We crowd to his tomb; yet we dare not laud 

His name in profane oration ; 

But we consecrate it an altar to God, 

And offer no vain oblation : 

For we sing the grace, that in vessels of earth, 

Deposits the heavenly treasure ; 

Wide o'er the world's waste to distribute its worth 

Unraix'd, and unbounded in measure. 

He, swift as the light, a herald from heaven, 
The message of peace imparted 

To rebels, whose hearts with despair had been riven j 

And balm, to the broken-hearted. 

And the wanderer's feet from the perilous maze 

Of error to righteousness turning, 

He seemed like a beacon, with its signal blaze. 

In a dark world vividly burning. 

A warrior he, of the blood-stained cross, 

The powers of darkness spoiling ; 

Repulsing their ranks, with discomfiture, loss. 

And their hellish malice foiling ; 

He fought the good fight to the moment of death, 

A veteran war-worn and hoary ; 

Resigning the sword for the conqueror's wreath, 

And palm of unperishing glory. 

The fulness of grief from their eyes may flow, 
Who mourn — unavailing sorrow!— 
For souls that have sunk in a dark night of woe. 
Nor hoped for a brighter morrow : 
. But rejoicing in hope, and catching the song 
Through heaven's high arches ringing. 
We re-echo the strains of the sainted throng 
Amongst whom our father is singing. 

[end of the memoirs,] 



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